MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Panthers were competitive in the first half, but smothering defense from the No. 3 Sharks would have NSU cruise to a confident conference win.  

FINAL: Florida Tech 70, No. 3 Nova 97
Records: Florida Tech (3-14, 0-9 SSC) No. 3 Nova Southeastern  (16-1, 8-1 SSC)
Locations: Clemente Center | Melbourne, FL
 
STATS OF THE MATCH:

First Half:

• The Panthers started with an early deficit, as the Sharks' press defense resulted in three straight turnovers and baskets at the rim for the opposition.
• A Max Polk three-pointer would get Tech on the board in a much-needed sequence, 3-9.
• It would be around the 14-minute mark that Tech would get their offense going as Marko Malekinusic would hit a three-pointer with the shot clock winding down.
• To follow, Donovan Murphy would register a layup, and back-to-back three-pointers from Donovan Brown and Isaiah Edden would give the Panthers their first lead capping off an (11-0) run, 14-11.
• From this mark, the game would be much tighter as the two teams would exchange baskets, the Sharks with fast transition baskets, and the Panthers with a much more patient half-court offense.
• The lead for the Sharks would grow to six as they tried to separate just under midway in the contest but a three-pointer from Brown would keep Tech right in it, 23-26.
• The press defense from the Sharks would again come into play as the lead would grow to 10 with just over five minutes to play, 25-35.
• The Sharks would increase their lead as Tech would face a large deficit heading into halftime 35-49,

 
Second Half:

• The defense of the Sharks proved to be a focal point early in the second half as much like the first, as their lead increased to 20 points in the blink of an eye, 35-55.
• Tech's first basket would come almost three minutes in from a Malekinusic three-pointer, 38-55.
• Unfortunately for the Panthers, the tenacious defense from the Sharks would be crucial and the result would be a familiar one for Tech this season.
• Tech would suffer the loss at home, 70-97.

 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Max Polk finished with a game-high 23 points and tied for the game-high in assists with four.
• Donovan Brown finished with 22 points and a team-high six rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• All-time vs. Nova Southeastern: 38-29
• Since the start of the 2014-15 season, the Sharks hold a 15-6 advantage in the series and have won 12 of 13 matchups since the start of the 2018-19 season.
• Tech is 21-12 all-time at home vs. NSU.

 
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will hit the road this coming week to West Palm Beach as they battle against Palm Beach Atlantic University on Wednesday, January 22^nd, at 7:30 p.m.

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.