MELBOURNE, FLA. – Donovan Brown scored a game-high 23 points in a comeback attempt that fell just short to the Eagles at home.

FINAL: Florida Tech 62, ERAU 77
Records: Florida Tech (3-17, 0-12 SSC) ERAU (13-7, 7-5 SSC)
Locations: Clemente Center | Melbourne, FL
 
STATS OF THE MATCH:

First Half:

• The Panthers felt comfortable with their second-half lineup from the previous game to do some damage as Donovan Brown, Isaiah Edden, Max Polk, Xavier Ford-Belton, and Logan Allen got the nod to start the game.
• A rebound from Belton and a quick pass to Allen would lead Tech to their first basketball via a fast break layup, 2-2.
• The Eagles and Panthers would exchange baskets early and the lead would exchange twice over the first nine minutes, once at 7-6, and the second time at 10-11.
• The offense for Tech coming from Allen and Brown keeping the Panthers involved.
• Once tied at 17-17, the Eagles would go on a (9-26) run taking the largest lead of 17 into halftime.
• Allen led all scorers with 12 points and was the only player to register double-digits in the first half.
• The rebounding would be pivotal as Tech was outrebounded (16-24).

 
Second Half:

• A slicing layup would get the Panthers on the board in response to an Eagles second chance dunk that started the half underway.
• For a majority of the second half, the Panthers would trial with the Eagle lead teetering between 17 to 20.
• Brown did most of the scoring for Tech with 14 second-half points and a much-needed boost off the bench from Can Kaan Turgut with a respectable nine with just under five minutes to play, 56-70.
• The Panthers would pull within 14 and this would be the closest to this point since the first half.
• A crucial offensive rebound from Donovan Murphy and kick to Manos Dimou for an assisted three-pointer cut the Eagle lead to 13.
• The Panthers would play great defense down the stretch, but it would be the offensive struggles of the first half that would play a role in Techs' comeback attempt as they would take the loss, 62-77.

 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Donovan Brown finished with a game-high 23 points and tied for a team-high seven rebounds
• Logan Allen added in 12 points of his own.

COACHES CORNER:

• "I thought we had a good start, but let it slip away." Said Head Coach Billy Mims. "The Eagles bench provided a lot of firepower which put us in a hole right before the half and I was proud we didn't quit as we won the second half, but the first-half deficit was hard to climb out of. Donovan Brown played his typical exceptional self, leading the game in points with 23. The Eagles outrebounded us and were very efficient with their second-chance opportunities. Across the board though, the game stats were close, and it feels to me like we played as hard and as well as they did but we just didn't make the shots needed to win. In a lot of the other areas, we did well, we had a lot of good looks at the basket but just couldn't get shots to fall. I didn't fault our effort; we executed well but again the shots didn't fall. Max Polk entered matchup 1^st in the conference and 7^th in the country in three-point % but shot 1-10 which you can't anticipate happening at home, so it was just one of those nights, we know he'll get back to his regular form very soon. Logan Allen also looks to get better each game, had 12 points in the first half, we just need to put in a complete game and hit the open shots."

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• All-time vs. Embry-Riddle: 9-15
• Tech is 5-7 all-time at home vs. ERAU

 
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will start a two-game road trip with a trip to Eckerd College to face the Tritons on Saturday, February 1 at 4 pm.
 

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