INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Florida Tech 70, Barry 67
Records: Florida Tech (11-11, 5-12 SSC), Barry (16-6, 11-6 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.
 
FIRST HALF:

• Consecutive baskets by Mate Papai to open the game gave Tech a 4-2 lead with 18:03 left in the first half.
• Later in the half, the Panthers ensued on a 7-0 run to grab a 19-16 advantage with 10:53 to go on a layup by Elias Martin. 
• Tech grabbed a four-point lead, 29-25, on a three by Sesan Russell with 6:38 remaining.
• A jumper by Russell followed by a pair of free throws from Runako Ziegler pushed Tech's lead back to four, 40-36, with 2:01 to go. 
• Sean Houpt knocked down a three with 1:09 left in the half to put the Panthers up 43-38. 
• Niall Harris hit a layup to hand Tech its largest lead of the half at 45-38 with 41 seconds to go.
• Bucs scored with 11 seconds left and the Panthers went into halftime leading the No. 25 team in the nation 45-40.  

 
SECOND HALF:

• Bucs opened the second half on a 10-4 run to corral a 50-49 lead with 15:35 left. 
• Panthers knocked down three out of their next four shots beyond the arc, including makes from Josh Mims, Houpt and Ziegler, to cut their deficit to 61-60 with 9:02 remaining.
• Both defenses played tough in the second half and limited the offenses to a combined five points over a 5:24 span. Panthers found themselves trailing 65-61 with 3:38 to go. 
• Panthers continued to make stop after stop on defense and held Barry scoreless the final 3:17 of the game.
• Tech outscored Barry 7-0 over the last 2:54 of the game, including back-to-back threes by Houpt that gave the Panthers a 69-67 lead with 1:55 remaining.
• Eventually the clock ran out and Florida Tech was able to earn a much-needed upset victory over Barry at the Clemente Center to stay in the hunt for one of the final SSC Tournament spots. 

 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Sean Houpt led Florida Tech with 23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals on 8-16 shooting including 5-13 beyond the arc. 
• Niall Harris recorded 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals on 6-14 shooting and 3-3 on free throws
• Runako Ziegler tallied 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists on 2-5 beyond the arc and 4-5 at the line.
• Sesan Russell recorded 10 points, 5 assists, 3 rebounds and 3 steals
• Elias Martin finished with 4 points, 4 rebounds, 3 blocks, 2 assists and 2 steals on 2-3 shooting.

 
BILLY MIMS POST GAME SHOW PRESENTED BY BEEF O'BRADY'S VIERA




INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech made 36.4% (24-66) of its shots in the game, including 30.3% (10-33) beyond the arc, and 75% (12-16) at the free throw line. 
• Barry shot 49.2% (29-59) from the field, including 30.8% (4-13) from three, and 62.5% (5-8) at the charity stripe. 
• Panthers limited Barry to 0-6 from three-point range in the second half. 
• Florida Tech defense held Barry to 25 points below its season scoring average (92 ppg).
• Bucs won the rebounding battle 43-33. 
• Tech scored 19 points off Barry's 19 turnovers in the game. 
• Panthers had just 9 turnovers in the game and ended with 13 steals compared to just 4 steals for Barry.
• Barry finished with an edge in points in the paint, 46-24, and fast break points, 12-4.

 
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech earns its first win over a ranked opponent since knocking off No. 7 Florida Southern, 77-59, on Jan. 2, 2019. 
• Panthers pick up their first win over Barry since Jan. 6, 2018, a game Florida Tech won 96-83 in Miami Shores. 
• This is Tech's first home win over Barry since Feb. 18, 2015, when the Panthers upset No. 4 Barry, 61-48, at the Clemente Center. 

  
UP NEXT: Florida Tech is back in action on Saturday, Feb. 19, as the Panthers travel to Tampa for a matchup with the Spartans at Bob Martinez Athletics Center. Tip-off is set for 4 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.