Valdosta, Georgia – Florida Tech Men's Basketball tipped off the new season this evening as the team traveled to Valdosta, Georgia, for the South Region Crossover. The Panthers took the court against Edward Waters from ther SIAC in the first game of the year.
GAME ONE – Non-Conference
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 58, Edward Waters Tigers 78
Records: Florida Tech (0-1)
| Edward Waters (1-1)
Location: The Complex (Valdosta State)
| Valdosta, Georgia
GAME NOTES:
First Half:
- This evening's contest began as a defensive battle with neither team hitting double digits through the first eight minutes.
- Xavier Ford-Belton, Ben Csernak, and Ca'Darrius Sowell all got on the board for the Panthers but Edward Waters opened up an early 15-6 lead.
- Both sides went on a four-minute scoring drought before AJ Lieuwen used a quick move to get to the basket for an easy layup.
- Despite points from Matt Daulerio and Noah Van Bibber, Tech still trailed 25-13 at the five-minute mark of the first half.
- The Panthers found momentum towards the end of the first twenty, forcing three straight turnovers and going on a 10-2 run.
- While Tech cut the lead to five, scores from the Tigers in the final minute had the Panthers down seven at the break.
HALFTIME SCORE: Florida Tech 23, Edward Waters 30
Second Half:
- Despite ending the half with a made shot from AJ Lieuwen, the Panthers were unable to score in the first four minutes of the second half.
- Ford-Belton ended the drought with a tough finish at the rim, but the Tigers had grown their lead to 38-25.
- Ty Harpring and Noah Van Bibber each made jump shots to cut the lead to ten with 14 minutes remaining.
- After the Tigers extended the lead again, three pointers from Van Bibber and Austin White had the Panthers down just seven points at 48-41.
- Unfortunately for Tech, the Tigers exploded for an 18-2 run as the game crossed into the final ten minutes to lead 66-43.
- Sowell, Daulerio, and Lieuwen all recorded baskets in the final seven minutes, but the deficit hung around twenty points for the remainder of the contest.
FINAL SCORE: Florida Tech 58, Edward Waters 78
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
UP NEXT: The Panthers will stay in South Georgia for one more game at the South Region Crossover. Tech will face the hosts of the weekend, Valdosta State, at 3:00 PM on Sunday. Fans can catch this game on FloSports or follow live at FloridaTechSports.com.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech Men's Basketball, 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.
