MELBOURNE, FLA. - Florida Tech began its home slate with a nonconference matchup against Johnson University. The Panthers took care of business, defeating the Suns convincingly by a score of 89-53 

 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:  
Final: Florida Tech 89, Johnson 53  
Records: Florida Tech (4-0, 1-0 SSC), Johnson University (0-5) 
Location: Charles and Ruth Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.  

 
FIRST HALF:  

• Both teams struggled to put the ball in the basket early on with Johnson taking an early 6-4 lead at the first media timeout.  
• The Panthers went on a 7-0 run to take a 12-8 lead, finding some much-needed rhythm offensively.  
• Off of a George Nehma 3-pointer Tech pushed its lead to 24-17, but the Suns used their own 7-0 run to tie the game up. 
• Florida Tech responded with an 8-0 run with Can Kaan Turgut, Niall Harris and Sean Houpt all scoring. 
• A 3-pointer from Houpt and an old-fashioned 3-point play from Harris in the final minute gave the Panthers a 38-28 lead at the break. 
• The Panthers outrebounded the Suns 24-to-11, however the Suns aggressive defense forced 12 turnovers. 

SECOND HALF:  

• Tech came out of the half a new team as it pushed its lead to 45-28 early on with a 7-0 run. 
• Off the back of two dunks from Elias Martin and one slam from Sam Grant, the Panthers extended their lead to 61-40.  
• The Panthers kept pressing on with a 12-2 run capped off by a Houpt 3-pointer to push the lead to 71-42. 
• Houpt scored six straight points for Florida Tech pushing its lead to 83-46.  
• Lay-ups from Theo Klimanoglou and Stephen Merritt capped off a blowout victory for the Panthers. 
   

NOTABLE PANTHERS:  

• Harris impressed with a triple-double. The senior lit up the box score with 15 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.  
• Scoring a season-high 28 points was Houpt. He made 8-of-13 field goal attempts and four threes for the Panthers.  
• Grant scored a career-high 20 points on 8-of-12 shooting. He also had five rebounds. 

 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:  

• The Panthers shot 55% (33-60) from the field and held the Suns to just 33.3% (18-54) from the field. Tech made seven threes while Johnson made just four.  
• From the free throw line Florida Tech shot 16-of-25 and Johnson shot 13-of-18. 
• The Panthers dominated the boards, outrebounding the Suns 45-23. 
• Turnovers were almost even with the Panthers committing 17 and the Suns committing 16. 
• 10 different Florida Tech players were on the scoresheet.  
• The Panthers are now 3-0 all-time against the Suns. 

Coach Billy Mims Postgame presented by Al's Trophy Shop  

UP NEXT: Florida Tech will be back in action Friday Nov. 25 in the Thanksgiving Tournament at the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center. The Panthers will take on Puerto Rico-Bayamon in the first round at 6 PM in the four-team tournament.