Florida Tech’s women’s basketball team clinched a postseason berth with a 69-60 win over Barry on Feb. 23 at the Miami Shores campus. The Panthers dominated from the start, using a 44-29 rebounding advantage to control the game and advance to the conference tournament.
Tai Roberts led the way for Florida Tech, scoring 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting. The senior forward added eight rebounds and three assists, anchoring the Panthers’ offensive and defensive efforts. Her performance helped Florida Tech maintain control throughout the game, despite Barry’s attempts to close the gap in the second half.
The Panthers’ dominance in the paint was evident early. They converted second-chance opportunities and attacked the rim with precision, outrebounding Barry by 15 boards. The margin was the largest in the team’s season and a key factor in securing the win.
Florida Tech’s bench contributed 18 points, including 10 from reserve guard Amanda Ogbonna, who finished with six rebounds and two steals. The team’s depth allowed it to maintain its lead late in the game, even as Barry cut the deficit to single digits in the fourth quarter.
The victory marks the Panthers’ third consecutive win and improves their conference record to 10-4. They will now face the top seed in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament, which begins March 8 at the Florida Tech campus in Melbourne. Head coach Lisa Morgan called the win a ‘team effort’ in a postgame interview, highlighting the squad’s resilience and preparation.