Mocs Put Four in Double Figures in Setback at Florida Tech

MELBOURNE - Florida Southern put four players in double figures, but could never get over the hump as the Moccasins fell 71-64 to Florida Tech here Saturday afternoon in Sunshine State Conference action at the Clemente Center.

With the setback, the Mocs fall to 7-16 overall and 2-11 in the SSC, while Tech improved to 15-10 overall and 6-7 in the league standings. The loss was the second straight for the Mocs this week after winning two consecutive games last week at Barry in overtime and at home against Lynn.

The Mocs, who trailed by as much as 13 points late in the second half, used a 9-3 run over a nearly four minute span to pull within 64-58 with 1:30 left in the game following a free throw from freshman guard Morgan Siebka (Slippery Rock, Pa.), before the Panthers hit 7-of-8 free throws in the final 70 seconds to hold off the Mocs and seal its 15th win of the season.

Sophomore Ali Sanders (Sleepy Hollow, Ill.) led the way for the Mocs as she tallied a team-high 14 points and added five boards, while freshman forward Christin Strawbridge (Lakeland, Fla.) added 12 points, including 10 in the second half. Sophomore Mariah Harris (Gainesville, Fla.) and junior guard Syerra Davis (Tolleson, Ariz.) each had 10 points in the loss.

Tech, who led 34-31 at the half, opened the second half on a 12-4 run to push its lead to 11 points at 46-35 just a little over six minutes into the second half. The Mocs, though, would respond with a five straight points from Strawbridge to bring FSC within 46-40 with 11:49 left in the game.

After Tech scored three straight baskets to extend its lead to 52-40 at the 10:06 mark, the Mocs would answer with a 7-2 run to pull within 54-47 after a free throw by Strawbridge with 7:09 left in the game.

Following Strawbridge's free throw, the Panthers used a 7-1 run to take a 61-48 lead following two free throws by BreAnn Davis with 5:25 left. The 13-point lead was the largest margin of the game for either team.

Kayk Wilson led the way for Tech as she tallied 19 points as she scored 11 of her points from the free throw line as she was 11-for-12 at line, as she finished shooting 4-for-20 from the field. Rita Acevedo tallied nine points, nine assists and six steals, while Jasmire Brown added eight points off the bench.

The Mocs jumped in front 14-10 just six minutes into the game, before Tech used a 14-4 run capped by two Wilson free throws to take a 24-18 lead with 8:36 left in the first half.

After a Sanders lay-up 25 seconds pulled the Mocs within 24-20, the Panthers extended its lead back out to seven points on a 3-pointer by Melissa Echols. FSC, though, would answer Echols' trey with an 8-2 run to pull within 29-28 following a bucket in the paint by senior forward Morgan Lamberg (Mukwonago, Wis.) with 3:06 left in the half. 

Lamberg finished the game with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists.  

Tech would score five of the final eight points of the first half to go into the half with a 34-31 lead.

The Mocs finished the game shooting 47 percent from the field and 44 percent from the 3-point line, while Tech shot 41 percent from the floor and was held to 25 percent (4-for-16) shooting from the 3-point line.

FSC held a 35-33 edge on the boards, but committed 20 turnovers that led to 20 Tech points. The Panthers had 12 turnovers that led to 16 Moccasin points.

The two teams combined to shoot 47 free throws as the Mocs were 14-for-23 (61 percent) at the line and Tech finished 19-for-24 (79 percent) from the foul line.

FSC will return home to Jenkins Field House for a 5:30 p.m. game on Wednesday, Feb. 19 against Saint Leo (15-7 overall, 6-6 SSC). The Mocs fell 79-66 at Saint Leo on Jan. 15.