MELBOURNE, FLA. - Florida Tech hosted Puerto Rico-Bayamon in its opening game of the Thanksgiving Tournament. Despite jumping out to a early lead, Florida Tech struggled against Bayamon, ultimately losing 76-70.  

 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:  
Final: Florida Tech 70, Puerto Rico-Bayamon 76 
Records: Florida Tech (4-1 1-0 SSC), Puerto-Rico Bayamon (1-4) 
Location: Charles and Ruth Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.  

 
FIRST HALF:  

• The Vaqueros opened the game with a corner 3-pointer, but the Panthers responded with an impressive 18-0 run that included three triples.  
• Bayamon cut into the lead with a quick 6-0 run to make it 18-9. 
• The Vaqueros continued to scrap away and make it a six-point game midway through the half.  
• With four minutes remaining in the half, Bayamon had made its way all the way back and tied the game after being down as many as 15 points early on.  
• A contested jumper from Sesan Russell with 35 seconds remainingtied the game at 40 into the half. 
• Tech shot 57.1% (16-28) from the field, but turned the ball over 11 times  

SECOND HALF:  

• Tech and Bayamon traded baskets and defensive stops and were still tied at the first media timeout with 14 minutes remaining. 
• The Panthers forced the Vaqueros into foul trouble getting into the bonus with just over eight minutes remaining.  
• The Vaqueros answered with a 9-0 run to take their biggest lead of the game at 65-60 with 4:55 left in the ball game. 
• Russell made 3-of-4 attempts at the line over two possessions to cut the lead to two points with 2:59 left.  
• A 6-0 run from Bayamon extended its lead to eight points with 1:29 remaining. 
• A 3-pointer from Russell and two made free throws from Houpt cut the lead to three with 56 seconds remaining. 
• Three points was as close as Tech got to Bayamon as the Vaqueros made free throws to close out a 76-70 win. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:  

• Houpt was the leading scorer for the Panthers for the second game in a row with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting.  
• Scoring 14 points was Russell. The senior also had five rebounds and five assists.  
• Sam Grant tallied 13 points and five rebounds.  
• The last player in double-figures for the Panthers was Konstantinos Lagos with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting.  
• Elias Martin led Florida Tech with eight rebounds.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

• The Panthers shot 44.3% (27-61) from the field and 22.6% (7-31) from behind the arc. The Vaqueros were 40.6% (26-64) shooting and 20% (4-20) from three. 
• Florida Tech struggled from the free throw line shooting 50% (9-18). Bayamon got to the line more frequently shooting 80% (20-25). 
• The Panthers outrebounded the Vaqueros 45-33 on the night. 
• Florida Tech had a season-high 22 turnovers while Bayamon turned it over 13 times.  
• The Panthers drop to 18-2 all-time versus Bayamon.

UP NEXT: Florida Tech will be back in action tomorrow for the consolation game of the Thanksgiving Tournament against Trevecca Nazarene. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. from the Clemente Center.