Valdosta, Georgia – Florida Tech Men's Basketball was back on the court this afternoon for their second contest in less than 24 hours at the South Region Crossover. The Panthers took on the hosts of the weekend, Valdosta State.
GAME TWO – Non-Conference
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 75, (
RV) Valdosta State Blazers 108
Records: Florida Tech (0-2)
| Valdosta State (2-0)
Location: The Complex
| Valdosta, Georgia
GAME NOTES:
First Half:
- To begin this afternoon's action, Valdosta State got off to a huge run before Xavier Ford-Belton put the Panthers on the board.
- Ford-Belton, Logan Allen, and Greyson Williams all earned baskets, but Tech found themselves down 25-9 halfway through the first half.
- Back-to-back three balls from AJ Lieuwen and Ford-Belton cut the deficit to ten points, but the Blazers remained in control.
- Tech continued to heat up but were unable to get stops in bunches, trailing 31-21 with just over six minutes remaining.
- After Lieuwen was able to get the line and converted, Logan Allen and Ca'Darrius Sowell each finished at the rim and the Blazer lead was cut down to eight at 35-27.
- The Panthers first-half comeback effort was sniffed out by Valdosta State, as the Blazers used a 17-7 run in the final minutes to regain a double-digit lead.
HALFTIME SCORE - Florida Tech 34, Valdosta State 52
Second Half:
- Valdosta State opened the second half with a jumper, but the Panthers responded with an easy layup after Ford-Belton found Lieuwen on a smooth back-door cut.
- While the Panthers continued to find points in the paint and after a three ball from Greyson Williams, the VSU lead was cut to ten, 56-46.
- The hot start to the second half continued for Tech, they cut the lead to single digits after Austin White drilled a three from long range.
- However, Valdosta State responded to the Panther run with a 6-0 run at the 12-minute mark to extend their lead to 67-53.
- Austin White drilled another three to end the Blazer scoring streak, but Tech was unable to keep the offense going.
- Multiple turnovers from the Panthers led to another unanswered from the Blazers as they pushed their lead to 25 points.
- Logan Allen, Sterling White III and Xavier Ford-Belton hit multiple shots, but Tech trailed 101-70 with four minutes remaining.
- Sterling White drilled his third three-pointer of the game in the final minute, but the contest ended with a Valdosta State win.
FINAL SCORE - Florida Tech 75, Valdosta State 108
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
UP NEXT: The Panthers will be back on the road next week for another non-conference game. Tech will travel to USC-Beaufort on Wednesday, November 19
th, with tip-off scheduled for 7:30. This matchup will follow the Florida Tech Women's Basketball team as they take on USCB on the same day.
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.
