INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Florida Tech 93, Eckerd 86
Records: Florida Tech (13-12, 7-13 SSC), Eckerd (5-18, 3-17 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.
 
FIRST HALF: 

• Eckerd opened the game on a 5-0 run before the Panthers ensued on a 7-2 run to tie the game at 7-7 with 17:29 left in the first half. 
• Tritons regained a five-point advantage, 18-13, with 13:03 to go.
• Panthers took over from there, ensuing on a 21-7 run that included a pair of threes each from Sean Houpt and Sam Grant to go up 34-28 with 5:42 remaining. 
• EC answered with a 7-0 run to cut the margin to 34-32 with 3:21 left in the half. 
• Tech responded with its own 13-5 run to close the half, capped by another three from Grant, and the Panthers took a 47-37 advantage into the break. 

 
SECOND HALF: 

• Panthers started the second half on a 25-11 run, highlighted by threes from Niall Harris, Sesan Russell, Runako Ziegler and Josh Mims, and increased their lead to 72-48 with 9:58 to go. 
• Tritons were able to cut the margin to 16 before Tech pushed the lead back to 20 points, 78-58, on a make from Mims beyond the arc with 6:38 remaining. 
• Eckerd fought its way back with a 16-4 run to trim the Panthers' lead to single digits, 82-74, with 3:32 to go. 
• EC cut the margin down to seven, 85-78, with 2:11 left on the clock.
• Ziegler and Houpt each drained a pair of free throws to build the Panthers' lead back to ten, 89-79, with 1:02 left.
• Tech was able to hold on over the final minute and clinch its spot in the 2022 SSC Tournament. 

 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Runako Ziegler led all players with 26 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds and 3 steals on 7-12 shooting and 11-14 at the free throw line.
• Niall Harris recorded 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals and 1 block on 6-7 shooting including 2-3 beyond the arc. 
• Sean Houpt finished with 12 point, 4 rebounds and 3 assists on 2-9 shooting and 6-6 at the charity stripe.
• Sam Grant tallied 12 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block, 1 steal and 1 assist on 4-7 from three-point range.
• Josh Mims added 8 points on 3-3 shooting including 2-2 beyond the arc.

 
BILLY MIMS POSTGAME SHOW PRESENTED BY AL'S TROPHY SHOP:



INSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech made 51.8% (29-56) from the field, 48.3% (14-29) from three, and 21-26 (80.8%) from the charity stripe.
• Eckerd shot 45.8% (33-72) in the game, including 28.6% (4-14) beyond the arc, and 72.7% (16-22) at the free throw line. 
• Eckerd won the rebounding battle 36-33, including a 17-8 edge on the offensive glass.
• Panthers finished with an edge in bench points (47-9) and fastbreak points (15-13).
• Tritons ended with more points off turnover (20-16), second chance points (17-12) and points in the paint (38-28).

 
OUTSIDE THE BOXSCORE:

• Florida Tech returns to the SSC Tournament for the 14th time under head coach Billy Mims. 

 
UP NEXT: Florida Tech faces No. 1 Nova Southeastern in the first round of the SSC Tournament on Tuesday, Feb. 29, in Fort Lauderdale. Tip-off for the game is set for 7:30 p.m.
 
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