MELBOURNE, FLA. - For its second game of the Erdman Automotive Classic, Florida Tech battled Clayton State for the first time ever. The Panthers and the Lakers played a physical game with Tech coming out on top 74-63. 

 
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:  
Final: Florida Tech 74, Clayton State 63 
Records: Florida Tech (10-2, 3-1 SSC), Clayton State 63 (2-8, 0-1 PBC)  
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.  

 
FIRST HALF:  

• Both teams came out firing on the offensive end, but Tech jumped out to 12-9 lead on a 4-point play from Sesan Russell.  
• This ignited a 10-0 run for the Panthers that included a Niall Harris 3-pointer and a Sam Grant dunk. 
• The Panthers held the Lakers scoreless for just under five minutes and pushed their lead to 26-11. 
• Clayton State found its rhythm offensively scoring eight in a row to cut the Panthers lead to eight points. 
• Off an out of bounds play Russell knocked down a 3-pointer to give Tech a 11-point lead right before halftime. 
• The Panthers shot 57.1% from the field and knocked down six 3-pointers.  

SECOND HALF:  

• The Panthers scored the first four points including a monster dunk from Elias Martin to take a 50-35 lead. 
• Both teams went blow-for-blow for a few minutes before Clayton State went on a 7-0 run to cut the Panthers lead to five points.  
• Tech responded with 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions from Harris and Chase Thompson to push its lead back to double digits.  
• Those two 3-pointers started a 10-0 run for the Panthers that gave them a 64-49 lead at the under eight media timeout. 
• As they did all night, the Lakers did not back down using their own 9-0 run to get within six points. 
• After the Panthers made four key free throws, Noble threw down a fast break slam to push the lead to 12 and kill the game. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:  

• Russell had a double-double with 20 points and 10 assists. 
• Noble was impactful inside with 16 points and nine rebounds. 
• Harris was also in double figures with 16 points, six rebounds and six assists. 
• In his first game of the season, Thompson scored eight points.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

• The Panthers shot 44.8% (26-58) from the field and 34.8% (8-23) from three. Clayton State was 38.6% (22-57) shooting and 23.1% (3-13) from behind the arc. 
• Florida Tech shot 63.6% (14-22) from the free throw line while Clayton State was 66.7% (16-24). 
• Florida Tech won the battle on the glass, out-rebounding Clayton State 42-35. 
• The Panthers had 21 assists and 17 turnovers. The Lakers dished out 17 assists and turned the ball over 16 times. 
• Florida Tech had 18 points off turnovers.  

Coach Billy Mims postgame show presented by Long Doggers 

UP NEXT: Florida Tech will have 10 days off before it returns to action for a big SSC game at No. 3 Nova Southeastern. Tip-off from Fort Lauderdale is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

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.