MELBOURNE, FLA. – A familiar scene in the second half for the Panthers caused an eight-point deficit to turn into a 34-point loss on the road to the Tampa Spartans.
FINAL: Florida Tech 66, Tampa 100
Records: Florida Tech (3-13, 0-8 SSC) Tampa (11-5, 3-5 SSC)
Locations: Tampa, FL |
Bob Martinez Athletics Center
STATS OF THE MATCH:
First Half:
- A three-pointer from Logan Allen started the scoring for the Panthers, matching an earlier three from the Spartans.
- The Panthers would take their first lead in the contest early, 10-9 with the help of Can Kaan Turgut, Isaiah Edden, and Max Polk getting into the scoring column.
- Both Tech and Tampa would exchange baskets as Donovan Brown and Donovan Murphy would assert themselves in the matchup, 20-23.
- The Lead for the Spartans would climb to seven before a much-needed three-pointer from Marko Malekinusic would keep Tech in the fight, 25-30.
- It would be offensive rebounds for the Spartans that would eventually give them the opportunities needed to extend their lead to 10 right before halftime, 33-43.
- A new leader at the half would arise as Allen would have a team-high seven points behind the Panthers first half shooting 37.9% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.
Second Half:
- An Xavier Ford-Belton steal and fast break would start the second half for the Panthers cutting the Spartans' lead to eight, 35-43.
- The Spartans would sustain an eight to ten-point lead for the first three minutes into the second half.
- Unfortunately for the Panthers, they suffered a feat that is all too familiar for them this season as the Spartans would go on a 6-21 run and the game was over from this point, 41-64.
- The Panthers would fall on the road big to the Spartans 66-100 suffering their sixth loss in a row.
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- All-time vs. Tampa: 32-60
- Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Spartans hold a 12-10 advantage in the series.
- Tech is 7-36 all-time at Tampa, with five wins coming since 2009-10.
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will return home this Saturday, January 18
th at 4:00 PM, as they host No. 3 Nova Southeastern University.
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.