MELBOURNE, FLA. - After a week off to prepare for its next game, Florida Tech welcomed Eckerd to the Clemente Center. The Panthers found themselves in a physical battle with the Tritons, but ultimately pulled out an 80-76 win in front of the home crowd.  
 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:  
Final: (RV) Florida Tech 80, Eckerd College 76 
Records: Florida Tech (14-4, 7-3 SSC), Eckerd College (6-10, 3-7 SSC) 
Location: Charles and Ruth Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.  

 
FIRST HALF:  

• Eckerd opened up a 10-6 lead out of the gate, making five of its first seven shots. 
• The Panthers took their first lead with 10:48 in the game on a fast break layup from Sean Houpt. 
• The Tritons regained the lead at 22-20 after Daniel Love got a contested layup to go while being fouled.  
• Back-to-back triples from Chase Thompson ignited what would be a 10-0 run for the Panthers to give them a nine-point lead. 
• Eckerd immediately responded with an 8-0 run of its own to get back within one point. 
• A 3-pointer from David Swedura of the Tritons with 15 seconds left in the half and two free throws from Sesan Russell on the corresponding Panthers possession tied the game at 38.  

SECOND HALF:  

• Niall Harris drilled a corner 3-pointer then Russell hit a pull-up jumper to give Tech a 5-point lead after two offensive possessions out of the break. 
• Eckerd answered Tech's start with a 6-0 run to regain the lead with 17:07 left in the game. 
• A 12-2 run capped off by a fast break layup from Noble saw Tech take a 57-48 lead. 
• Tech went scoreless for over three minutes, but four consecutive points by Russell gave it a 63-53 lead. 
• Six straight points from Carr Thiam for the Tritons cut the Panthers lead to 69-64 with 5:20 left. 
• Two free throws for Kent Garard of Eckerd made it a 74-68 game with 2:16 left.  
• The Panthers lead was cut to 75-72 on a steal from Eckerd that led to a transition bucket with 41.9 seconds left in the game. 
• Tech knocked down five free throws in the 41.6 seconds to hold off the Tritons late charge and win 80-76. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:  

• Russell had a double-double with 18 points and a career-high 15 assists. The senior was 9-of-11 from the free-throw line and also brought down eight rebounds.  
• Scoring a game-high 26 points on 7-of-14 shooting was Houpt. He made five 3-pointers and was 7-of-8 from the free-throw line. 
• Noble dropped 18 points on 8-of-12 shooting with six rebounds.  
• Defending SSC Defensive Player of the Week, Elias Martin grabbed eight rebounds and had four blocks for the second game in a row.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

• The Panthers shot 46.4% (26-56) from the field and 41.9% (13-31) from 3-point range. The Tritons were 43.8% (28-64) shooting and 40% (12-30) from behind the arc. 
• Florida Tech was 75% (18-24) from the free throw line while Eckerd was 67% (12-18). 
• Tech out-rebounded Eckerd 38-34. 
• The Panthers had seven blocks while the Tritons had none. 
• Florida Tech dished out 23 assists and committed 11 turnovers. Eckerd tallied 21 assists and turned it over eight times.  
• Bench points were in favor of the Panthers 11-6. 
• Florida Tech moves to 33-62 all-time versus Eckerd.

Coach Billy Mims postgame vs Eckerd presented by Health First  

UP NEXT: Florida Tech returns to action on Saturday Jan. 21 for a road SSC matchup with Florida Southern. Tip-off from the George W. Jenkins Field House is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 

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