INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 110, Puerto Rico Bayamon 74
Records: Florida Tech (6-1) | Bayamon (2-2)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.

FIRST HALF: 

• Panthers got off to a strong start behind the arc making 7 of their first 11 from three. Sesan Russell (4) and Sean Houpt (3) combined for Tech's 7 early three-pointers to help Tech jump out to a 23-12 lead with 12:48 to go. 
• Ameer Bennett capped off a 10-4 run by the Panthers as he hit a layup, drew a foul and made the ensuing free throw to make the score 33-16 with 9:24 left. 
• Panthers pushed their lead to 45-24 on a pair of made free throws by Sam Grant with 5:16 remaining.
• Florida Tech closed the half on an 8-0 run and took a 61-32 lead into halftime.
• Tech shot 52.9% (18-34) in the first half, including 50% (10-20) from three-point range, and 75% (15-20) at the free throw line. 
• Bayamon made 37.1% (13-35) from the field, 33.3% (4-12) beyond the arc and 33.3% (2-6) at the charity stripe. 

 
SECOND HALF: 

• Panthers continued their onslaught in the second half, building the lead to 66-32 less than a minute after halftime. 
• Later in the half, Tech made threes on consecutive possessions, one by Runako Ziegler on a fastbreak and two more by Russell, to increase its advantage to 97-57 with 6:28 to go. 
• Panthers eventually pushed the lead to 43 points when Ziegler converted a three-point play to make the score 100-57 with 5:37 left. 
• A three from Josh Mims with 43 seconds to go closed the scoring for the Panthers as they went on to win their 6th game in a row. 
• Panthers made 57.6% (19-33) from the field, 40% (6-15) from three and 45.5% (5-11) on free throws. 
• Vaqueros shot 38.9% (14-36) during the second half, 33.3% (4-12) beyond the arc and 83.3% (10-12) at the charity stripe. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Sesan Russell led all players with 35 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals on 10-15 shooting, including 9-11 from three, and a perfect 6-6 on free throws. 
• Mekhii Noble recorded his 7th double-double of the season on 18 points, 12 rebounds and 2 blocks on 7-9 from the field and 4-9 at the charity stripe.
• Runako Ziegler tallied 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal on 5-7 shooting 
• Sean Houpt finished with 11 points, 1 rebound 1 assist on 3-7 shooting
   

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Three Panthers earned All-Tournament honors following the conclusion of the Championship Game. Mate Papai and Mekhii Noble were named to the Erdman Automotive All-Tournament Team while Sesan Russell was named the Most Valuable Player after averaging 33.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.5 rebounds over the two games.
 
 
COACH BILLY MIMS POST GAME Presented by Jacobus & Fielding, Injury Attorneys:



INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech finished the game shooting 55.2% (37-67) from the field, 45.7% (16-35) beyond the arc and 64.5% (20-31) on free throws. 
• Bayamon made 38% (27-71) of its shots in the game, including 33.3% (8-24) from three, and 66.7% (12-18) at the charity stripe. 
• Panthers finished with a 40-37 edge in rebounding.
• Tech outscored Vaqueros in points off turnovers (26-18), points in the paint (38-30) and fastbreak points (20-12).
• Bayamon finished with an edge in second chance points (10-7) and bench points (34-31).

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Sesan Russell's 9 made threes are tied for second most in a game in program history. 
• Panthers' 61 points are the most scored in a half since Nov. 14, 2019 when the team put up 61 in the second half versus Johnson. 
• Tech set season-highs for points scored (110), 3-point field goals made (16), free throws made (20) and assists (25).
• Panthers' 110 points are tied for 7th most in a game in program history.
• Florida Tech's' 16 made threes are tied for 4th most in a game in program history.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech returns to SSC play next week as the Panthers host No. 23 Florida Southern on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. at the Clemente Center.
 
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech men's basketball team, visit FloridaTechSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest Panthers news by following Florida Tech Athletics on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.