Bluffton, South Carolina – Panther Men's Basketball was back on the road this evening as they shot up I-95 for their third game of the season. Tech traveled to the University of South Carolina Beaufort for another non-conference regional contest.
GAME THREE – Non-Conference
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 93, USC–Beaufort Sand Sharks 98
Records: Florida Tech (0-3)
| USC–Beaufort (3-0)
Location: The Cove
| Bluffton, South Carolina
GAME NOTES:
First Half:
- After the Sand Sharks opened the game with back-to-back baskets, Greyson Williams got to the rack in transition to put the Panthers on the board.
- Tech's defense held USCB scoreless for over four minutes, and Austin White drilled his first two three-pointers of the game to give the Panthers the early lead.
- After the Sand Sharks ended their drought, Ca'Darrius Sowell drilled a jumper and Williams got the line to put Tech in the lead 11-10.
- As the game transitioned into the final ten minutes of the first half, both teams traded buckets until USCB went on the contest's first big run to take a double-digit point lead
- Xavier Ford-Belton put an end to the run, but the Panthers trailed 31-20 with six minutes remaining.
- AJ Lieuwen knocked down three shots including one from deep, Logan Allen finished a tough layup in the paint and Sowell got another jumper to fall but the Sand Sharks continued their scoring run to lead at the half.
HALFTIME SCORE - Florida Tech 31, USC–Beaufort 49
Second Half:
- Needing to start digging out of the hole, the Tech opened the second half with fire.
- Five different Panthers found the bottom of the net while keeping the Sand Sharks scoreless for a 12-0 run.
- USCB finally got on the board, but Sterling White III and Austin White answered right back, and the Panthers were within two points, trailing 52-50.
- In total, through the first five minutes, Tech outscored USCB 21-4 and after another great defensive possession, Greyson Wiliams tied the game at 54 with a smooth finish at the rim.
- The run continued as Ca'Darrius Sowell knocked down back-to-back shots to give the Panthers the lead 58-56 with twelve minutes left to play in the game.
- After the Sand Sharks re-tied the scoreline, Austin White drilled his fourth three-pointer of the contest, and Tech led 61-58.
- While the Panthers were battling hard to get back in the game, a quick 8-0 run from USCB allowed them to regain the lead at the midway point of the second half.
- Continuing to show fight, Noah Van Bibber knocked down a three before Sowell got to the line to make it a one-possession game.
- With eight minutes on the clock, Sowell pump-faked his defender to get inside the paint for an easy lay to tie the game at 69-69.
- Points from Grant Lovett, Xavier Ford-Belton and Sterling White III kept the Panthers within striking distance, but Tech still trailed 79-77.
- Ca'Darrius Sowell was doing everything he could to keep the Panthers in the ballgame. He recorded six more points, two assists and a steal in a two-minute span.
- Unfortunately for Tech, multiple three-pointers from USCB extended the Sand Shark lead to 88-83 with just over two minutes remaining.
- Not giving up, Grant Lovette earned an easy finish from a Greyson Williams dish and got the line to cut the lead to three points (90-87) with one minute left in the second half.
- While the Panthers fought to the end, the comeback effort ran out of time as USCB made their free throws to ice the game.
FINAL SCORE - Florida Tech 93, USC–Beaufort 98
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- The Panthers scored 60+ points in a half for the first time since November of 2021.
UP NEXT: The Panthers will head south for the team's first Sunshine State Conference matchup of the 2025-26 season. Tech will travel to West Palm Beach to take on Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 4:00 PM.
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.
