FIT Women Fall at Florida Southern


DeLise Williams - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography
Following a big win last Wednesday at home against Embry-Riddle, the Florida Tech women’s basketball team was hoping to make it two in a row against Florida Southern. Unfortunately, the Panthers were overmatched by the Moccasins and dropped an 87-73 decision at Jenkins Field House on Wednesday night.

“They (Florida Southern) did a good job offensively, they did a good job defensively,” said Florida Tech coach John Reynolds, in his postgame interview with Jerry Durney. “Sometimes it’s not that you played so poorly, sometimes just gotta give the other team some credit.”

Florida Tech (7-7, 2-5 SSC) did get out to an early 6-2 lead in the game, but the Panthers got some good defense, including a steal by Michaela Gelbaugh with 1:38 left to go in the quarter. DeLise Williams followed that with two free-throws, putting the Panthers up 14-11 with 1:35 to go.

Gianna Vastola scored four of the next six points for the Mocs’, who closed the quarter on a 6-0 run and led 17-14. Vastola was 10-of-20 shooting with 10 rebounds, for the game and finished with 22 points. Camille Giardina led all scorers with 24 points.

The home team turned up the heat in the second half, building their lead to as many as 12 with 3:20 left, outscoring Florida Tech 29-18 in the quarter. When Reynolds talked about giving the other team credit, the second quarter is a good example. Florida Southern shot an impressive 62.5% in that quarter alone and finished the half with a 46-32 advantage.

Florida Southern (11-4, 7-1 SSC) put the game away with an impressive 16-6 run to start the third quarter. Anja Fuchs-Robetin hit two quick threes’ and Giulia Simioni hit another, as FSC expanded their lead to 23.

“You can get behind and you can come back,” Reynolds said. “But when you get behind like that, to come back and win, that’s another issue. They had those threes to start the second half and dug ourselves a deeper hole.”

The Panthers were down as many as 24, with 4:14 left in the quarter, but did get it down to 16 with 1:56 to go. They went into the fourth quarter, down 68-49.

Florida Tech battled the entire fourth quarter, showing no quit. They trimmed the deficit to 13 on three different occasions in the fourth, but just never got the big run they needed.

“We won last Wednesday and we didn’t get up on that win,” said Reynolds. We took it for what it was that night and we’re not gonna get down because we got beat, we’re gonna take it for what it is.”

Shequana Harris led the Panthers with 23 points and Williams finished with 19 to go along with four steals and five assists.

For more info: Florida Tech @ Florida Southern Box Score

Wednesday started a stretch of four of the next five on the road for the Panthers. The trip continues Saturday, when they travel to Palm Beach Atlantic for a 2:00 p.m. tip.




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