MELBOURNE, FLA. - Florida Tech hosted Saint Leo looking for a season sweep of the Lions. Saint Leo had other plans, picking up a statement win over the Panthers behind 12 made 3-pointers. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:  
Final: Florida Tech 72, Saint Leo 92 
Records: Florida Tech (14-6, 7-5 SSC), Saint Leo (15-7, 7-5 SSC) 
Location: Charles and Ruth Clemente Center| Melbourne, Fla.  

 
FIRST HALF:  

• Sean Houpt drilled two early triples which gave the Panthers an 8-5 lead. 
• The Lions took a five-point lead using a 10-2 run. 
•  A put-back dunk from Marty Jackson of the Lions kept their lead at five points with 7:44 remaining in the half.  
• A 7-0 run for Saint Leo saw it take a 36-23 lead. 
• Tech got a stop on defense in the final seconds of the half, but found itself down 41-28 at the break. 
• Six 3-pointers for the Lions were a big part of their early success.  

• Saint Leo knocked down three early triples and extended its lead to 50-31. 
• The Lions continued to be dangerous from behind the arc with Owen Pawlikowski hitting a corner three to take a 60-40 lead. 
• A 3-pointer from Chase Thompson cut the lead 69-53, but Saint Leo immediately responded with a triple of its own on the ensuing possession.  
• Florida Tech brought out its full-court press, but still struggled to get stops defensively as it trailed 85-69 with 3:41 left in the game. 
• Donovan Murphy got on the score sheet late in the game, but it was too little too late as the Panthers fell 92-72.  

NOTABLE PANTHERS:  

• Sean Houpt scored 20 points with five rebounds and four assists. 
• Sesan Russell dropped 17 points with five assists. The senior was 7-of-8 from the free throw line. 
• Thompson scored 16 points off the bench with three triples.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE: 

• The Panthers shot 43.1% (22-51) from the field and 34.8% (8-23) from three-point range. The Lions were 60% (30-50) shooting and 60% (12-20) from behind the arc.  
• From the free throw line, Tech was 71.4% (20-28) and Saint Leo 87% (20-23). 
• The Lions won the rebound battle 28-26. 
• Saint Leo had 24 assists while Tech dished out 16 assists. 
• Turnovers were close with Tech committing 15 and Saint Leo committing 14. 
• Florida Tech had 28 bench points and Saint Leo had 11. 
• The Panthers drop to 47-65 all-time versus Saint Leo. 

Coach Billy Mims postgame vs Saint Leo presented by Health First  

UP NEXT: Florida Tech returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 28 for a home SSC matchup with Rollins. Tip-off from the Clemente Center is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. 

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