INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 95, Morris College 66
Records: Florida Tech (5-1) | Morris (4-3)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST HALF: 

• Panthers leaped out to a 7-2 lead on a three by Runako Ziegler off an assist from Sesan Russell with 18:15 left. 
• A three by Sean Houpt followed by a steal and fastbreak layup by Ziegler gave Tech a 16-7 advantage with 13:10 to go.
• Hornets cut the margin to 18-15 on a put-back by Trayvon Harris with 10:35 remaining.
• Tech ensued on an 11-1 run, capped by a three from Josh Mims, to grab a 29-16 lead with 7:31 to go. 
• Panthers stretched their lead to 17 points, 39-22, their largest of the first half following a fastbreak layup by Mekhii Noble with 4:37 left.
• Tech's lead remained in double-figures during the waning moments of the first half and the Panthers carried a 45-31 lead into halftime.
• Panthers shot 47% (16-34) in the first half, including 28.5% (4-14) from three, and 64% (9-14) at the charity stripe. Morris made 29% (13-41) from the field, 16.7% (3-18) beyond the arc and 67% (4-6) at the line. 

SECOND HALF: 

• A quick shooting foul allowed Morris to cut its deficit to 45-35 on a pair of free throws by Armani Thomas.
• Panthers went on a 7-0 run to push their lead back to 17, 52-35, following a put-back by Noble. 
• Later in the half, Tech went on a 14-0 run to increase its advantage to 68-40 following a three by Russell with 12:01 to go. 
• Another trey from Russell gave the Panthers their largest lead of the game, 84-50, with 6:24 remaining. 
• Florida Tech cruised the rest of the game en route to a 95-66 victory, its 5th win in a row.
• During the second half, Tech shot 46.5% (20-43) from the field, including 50% (7-14) beyond the arc, and 75% (3-4) at the line. The Hornets were limited to 29% (9-31) shooting, 36% (4-11) from three and 64.7% (11-17) on free throws. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Sesan Russell led all players with 32 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds and 3 steals on 9-20 shooting, including 6-13 from three, and 8-8 on free throws
• Runako Ziegler recorded 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals on 5-7 shooting
• Mekhii Noble posted his 6th double-double of the season on 11 points, 14 rebounds, 2 blocks, 2 assists and 1 steal on 5-8 from the field
• Mate Papai recorded his first career double-double on 11 points, 12 rebounds and 2 assists on 5-7 shooting
   

COACH BILLY MIMS POST GAME Presented by Jacobus & Fielding, Injury Attorneys:
 

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech finished the game shooting 46.8% (36-77) from the field, 39.3% (11-28) from three and 66.7% (12-18) at the charity stripe. Morris made 30.6% (22-72) for the game, 24% (7-29) beyond the arc and 65% (15-23) of its free throws. 
• Panthers won the rebounding battle 55-37, including a 16-12 edge on the offensive glass which led to 22 second chance points. 
• Tech scored 16 points off Morris' 13 turnovers. Panthers also outscored the Hornets in bench points (24-19), points in the paint (48-26) and fast break points (21-11).

UP NEXT: Florida Tech advances to the Championship Game of the 2021 Erdman Automotive Thanksgiving Tournament where the Panthers will face Puerto Rico Bayamon on Saturday at 4 p.m. at the Clemente Center. Bayamon defeated Young Harris 72-70 in the first game of the tournament on Friday afternoon. 
 
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE: 
Saturday, Nov. 27
Consolation Game: Young Harris vs. Morris – 1:30 p.m.
Championship Game: Florida Tech vs. Bayamon – 4:00 p.m.
 
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