Tech Women Dominate in Season Opener Against Sailfish
MELBOURNE, FL- Florida Tech started their season with a 59-31 home-opening win today against the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish. The Panthers spread the
scoring through the entire team, with 11 players sinking two or more points. Sophomore Amanda Muns (Chico, TX) was the only Panther to score in double
digits, tallying 10 points on two jump shots and two three-pointers. Muns also grabbed one defensive rebound, a steal, and an assist.
In their Panther debuts, transfer junior Danielle Vaughn (Tallahassee, FL) and freshman Kailey Dettman (Sarasota, FL) shot for eight points each; Vaughn
additionally dished out three assists and sunk both of her free-throws while Dettman led the team with four assists. Sophomore Tenisha Chase (Temple Hills,
MD), junior Milana Velasquez (New York, NY), junior Jennifer Tamilio (Boston, MA), and freshman Sabrina Jones (Orlando, FL) each grabbed five rebounds for
the Panthers.
Tech took an early 6-0 lead in the first two minutes of play, sinking four consecutive free-throws and a lay up. The Panthers held a consistent five-point
lead before Dettman sank two three-pointers and two free throws in a row, boosting her team to a 13 point lead. The Panthers ended the first half on a
jumper by Tamilio to give them a 15 point lead, 30-15.
The Panthers continued their tenacious defense in the second half, holding the Sailfish scoreless through the first seven minutes. In the visitors’
scoreless span they turned the ball over eight times while the Panthers grabbed four defensive rebounds. Tech continued to dominate the Sailfish
offensively as well, building on their lead. With six minutes remaining in the game Tech extended their lead to 29 points on a free throw by Chase, the
largest point deficit of the night. Junior Shante Johnson (Orlando, FL) sank Techs final two points with consecutive successful shots from the line. The
game ended 59-31 in favor of the Panthers.
Junior Shae Smith (Tulsa, Oklahoma) led the Sailfish in scoring with 11 points. Two Sailfish, sophomore Sarah Powers (Haysville, NC) and junior Ashley
Hartman (Seattle, Washington), each had seven rebounds.
The Panthers start the season 1-0, while Palm Beach Atlantic falls to 0-1. The Panthers head to Ft. Myers for the Florida Gulf Coast tourney this weekend
to face Puerto Rico- Mayauez on Saturday and Puerto Rico- Bayamon on Sunday. A week from today the Tech hosts Puerto Rico- Bayamon at 7:00 pm in the
Clemente Center.