INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 72, Auburn-Montgomery 66
Records: Florida Tech (1-1) | Benedict (0-2)
Location: Alfond Sports Center | Winter Park, Fla.

FIRST HALF: 

• Panthers got off to a strong start in the game, jumping out to a 13-5 lead with 12:40 to go. Tech's bigs, Mekhii Noble and Mate Papai, contributed nine points during the early run. 
• Momentum quickly shifted as Benedict ensued on a 26-4 run over the next 7:54 to grab a 31-17 lead, the Tigers largest lead of the game. Panthers were 1-13 shooting from the field over that span. 
• Tech flipped the script late in the half as the Panthers rattled off an 11-2 run over the final 2:38 and cut the deficit to 33-28. Sesan Russell scored four points during the run. 
• Can Kaan Turgut hit a three with 48 seconds to go to trim the margin to five. It was Turgut's first career field goal for the Panthers. 
   

SECOND HALF: 

• The teams exchanged baskets throughout the start of the second half, but the Panthers were finally able to regain the lead, 41-39, following a put-back by Papai with 15:50 to go. 
• There were several lead changes the next few minutes before the Tigers' Brandon Smith knocked down consecutive threes to give his team a 58-53 advantage with 6:01 remaining. 
• Russell answered with a three of his own and from there the Panthers scored nine unanswered points to grab a 62-58 lead with less than four minute to go. 
• Benedict regained the lead, 63-62, following a 5-0 run, including a three by Timothy Bing.
• Noble answered with a bucket on the ensuing possession, and Russell knocked down a jumper, drew a foul and converter the three-point play, to put Florida Tech up 67-63 with 1:01 left on the clock.
• Panthers would ice the game at the free throw line, making 5 of their final 6 attempts at the charity stripe to close out their first win of the season. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Mekhii Noble led the Crimson & Gray with a double-double on a career-high 23 points and 14 rebounds on 9-16 shooting.
• Sesan Russell had 18 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals on 5-18 shooting and 6-8 on free throws.
• Sean Houpt added 13 points, seven rebounds, three steals and two assists on 4-14 shooting and 3-4 at the free throw line. 
• Mate Papai finished just short of a double-double with eight points, nine rebounds and three blocks on 3-6 shooting and 2-2 at the charity stripe. 
• Runako Ziegler ended the game with seven points, six rebounds and two assists on 2-7 shooting and 3-4 on free throws. 
   

COACHES CORNER:
"I am proud of our team's performance today, coming out with a win against probably the best team in the SIAC, after a disappointing loss in yesterday's game, a contest we had plenty of chances to win," said head coach Billy Mims. "We felt this was going to be a real challenge to see how we would bounce back from yesterday's disappointment.
 
"We started the game off really well and then we couldn't get baskets. It's like there was a lid on the basket, like in yesterday's game, and Benedict went on a big run. However, we never felt like we were in trouble. Over the last few minutes of the first half, we got some big stops, made some big buckets, and were able to get to the locker room at halftime down just five. 
 
"When we came out of the locker room in the second half, we were really clicking on all cylinders offensively. We finished well, and we found a way to win against a very good basketball team. It could have gone either way, but our guys stepped up and made sure that we got a big win.
 
"Mehkii did a great job today, scoring 23 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. His confidence is really swelling with what he can do with the basketball in his hands. He's really maturing on the court. We've watched him grow since his freshman year and he just understands what it takes physically and mentally to be successful. It's why he's one of the elite post players in the league. 
 
"Sesan and Sean may not have had their best shooting games but when they are on the floor they have a positive impact on our team. They still scored in double-figures and had all-around games for us. Mate also stood out this weekend. He just missed a double-double today and was an anchor for us defensively under the basket. He is playing with so much maturity and physicality.
 
"We know we need these guys to continue playing well heading into our conference opener against Saint Leo on Saturday. Against a team like Saint Leo, we need to do the little things right. They are a very good team and knocked us off in the semifinals of the SSC Tournament in the spring, ending our season. We have been looking forward to this game for a while. It's nice to know that we get a chance to play them on our floor to start the Sunshine State Conference season."

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Tech finished the game shooting 34.3% (24-70) from the field, 18.5% (5-27) from three, and 63.3% (19-30) at the free throw line. Benedict ended at 36.2% (25-69) shooting, 23.8% (5-21) beyond the arc, and 64.7% (11-17) at the charity stripe. 
• Panthers finished with a 55-45 advantage in rebounding including a dominant 21-13 effort on the offensive glass, which led to an 18-9 edge in second chance points. 
• Benedict outscored Tech in points off turnovers (14-9), points in the paint (34-32), and bench scoring (3-8). Tech had a slight edge in fastbreak points (15-13).

UP NEXT: Florida Tech is back in action next Saturday, Nov. 20, as the Panthers host Saint Leo in their SSC opener at the Clemente Center. Tip-off is at 4 p.m. 

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