ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Florida Tech traveled to Eckerd looking for its second away SSC win of the week. Despite trailing for most of the first half, the Panthers found their game in the second half to clinch the season sweep of the Tritons. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:   
Final: Florida Tech 77, Eckerd 72 
Records: Florida Tech (16-7, 9-6 SSC), Eckerd (9-12, 6-9 SSC)  
Location: McArthur Center | St. Petersburg, Fla.   

  
FIRST HALF:   

• Eckerd jumped out to a 9-4 lead early on which included a 3-pointer from David Swedura. 
• Florida Tech struggled offensively in the first nine minutes as Eckerd took a 13-7 lead. 
• An 8-0 run for the Tritons gave them a 23-12 advantage with 8:02 remaining in the half. 
• Houpt got on the scoresheet with a pull-up jumper and a lay-in on back-to-back possessions to cut the Eckerd lead to 23-18. 
• A 11-0 run that started on Houpt's jumper tied the game at 23. 
• Houpt drilled a long 3-pointer to give the Panthers its first lead of the game at 30-28 with 37 seconds remaining. 

SECOND HALF:   

• Eckerd hit two early triples to regain the lead 34-32. 
• Chase Thompson and Houpt hit back-to-back deep 3-pointers to give the Panthers a 43-39 lead with. 
• A 10-0 scoring run for Florida Tech pushed its lead to 53-42. 
• Eckerd cut the lead to 59-55 with a 7-0 run where the Panthers did not score for over four minutes. 
• The Panthers found the offensive touch with a quick 6-0 run to push their lead back to 65-57. 
• With the lead down to five points, Niall Harris took matters into his own hands with an isolation lay-in with 2:20 remaining. 
• Tech made the free throws it needed to make in the final minute to take home the road victory. 

NOTABLE PANTHERS:   

• Houpt tied his career-high with 33 points. The senior was 16-19 from the free throw line and also brought down seven rebounds.  
• Elias Martin was in double figures with 11 points and five rebounds. 
• Harris scored 10 points and brought down eight rebounds in his first game back after missing two games with a foot injury. 

• The Panthers move to 34-62 all-time against Eckerd. 
• Florida Tech shot 47.8% (22-46) from the field and 35.3% (6-17) from 3-point range. Eckerd was 45.8% (27-59) shooting and 40.9% (9-22) from behind the arc. 
• Tech was 77% (27-35) from the free throw line while Eckerd was 60% (9-15)
• The Panthers won the rebound battle 38-28. 
• Tech blocked four shots. 
• Defensively, the Panthers had 10 steals and 16 points off turnovers.  

UP NEXT: Florida Tech returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 8th for a home SSC matchup against No. 2 Nova Southeastern. Tip-off from the Clemente Center is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. 
  

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