INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Florida Tech 76, #5 Nova Southeastern 112
Records: Florida Tech (8-2, 3-1 SSC) | Nova Southeastern (7-0, 4-0 SSC)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

FIRST HALF: 

• An early 9-0 run by the Sharks helped NSU jump out to a 13-4 advantage with 16:18 to go. 
• Panthers answered with a 7-0 scoring run to cut the deficit to 16-14 on a three by Sean Houpt with 14:54 remaining.
• Sharks outscored the Panthers 32-11 the final 14:18 of the first half to take a 48-25 advantage into the break. 
• Tech's difficulty managing the Sharks' press defense was a theme of the first half. Panthers had 17 first half turnovers compared to just 2 for NSU.
• Panthers attempted a season-low 25 shots in the first half, making 40% (10-25) from the field, 33% (1-3) from three and 80% (4-5) at the line. 
• NSU also shot 40% (19-47) in the first half, including 18% (3-17) beyond the arc and 78% (7-9) on free throws. 

 
SECOND HALF: 

• Runako Ziegler knocked down a three on the first possession after halftime to make it a 48-28 score with 19:45 to go. Ziegler did his best to keep the Panthers in the game as he scored 20 of his team-high 22 points in the second half alone. 
• A 12-4 run by the Panthers cut the margin down to 17 points, 61-44, with 14:28 remaining. Houpt kicked off the run with a three, Ziegler had 7 points in the run, including 3 makes at the line, and Mekhii Noble provided a dunk.
• Sharks answered with a 10-0 run to push their lead to 27 with 12:49 left on the clock. 
• NSU increased its advantage to 35 before Josh Mims knocked down a 3 with 8:40 remaining. 
• Sharks cruised the rest of the way, eventually building their lead to as much as 38 points with 33 seconds to go. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Runako Ziegler tied a season-high with 22 points to go along with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal on 6-9 shooting, 2-2 beyond the arc, and 8-9 on free throws.
• Josh Mims finished with 12 points on 4-7 shooting, 2-5 from three and 2-4 at the line. 
• Mekhii Noble saw his double-double streak come to an end as he finished with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 1 block and 1 steal on 5-9 shooting.  
   

INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Tech finished the game shooting 43.9% (25-57) from the field, including 38.9% (7-18) from three, and 79.2% (19-24) at the line.
• NSU made 51.2% (42-82) of its shots in the game, including 17.4% (4-23) beyond the arc, and 80% (24-30) at the charity stripe.
• Sharks outrebounded the Panthers 41-38 while Tech had a 28-26 edge on the defensive glass.
• Panthers finished with a 13-9 advantage in second chance points.
• NSU led in bench points (50-28), points in the paint (64-34) and fast break points (34-7).
• Sharks had an edge in steals (20-4) and assists (33-12).
• Panthers turned the ball over a season-high 29 times compared to just 6 for NSU.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The loss snaps Florida Tech's 8-game win streak, its longest since winning 9 in a row during the 2012-13 season. 
• Panthers have now lost 5 in a row to NSU dating back to the 2018-19 season.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech will be back in action on Friday, Dec. 17, as the Panthers take on Division I Florida Atlantic in an exhibition at FAU Arena in Boca Raton, Florida. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
 
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