Winter Park, Florida – Florida Tech Men's Basketball was back in action tonight as they traveled to Rollins College for their second SSC game of the season. After a 3-0 week during Thanksgiving, the Panthers were looking to continue playing well as the conference slate began to pick up.
GAME TWO – CONFERENCE PLAY
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 71, Rollins College Tars 65
Records: Florida Tech (4-4, 1-1 SSC)
| Rollins College (4-3, 1-1 SSC)
Location: Warden Arena
| Winter Park, Florida
GAME NOTES:
First Half:
- The game began as a defensive masterclass from the Panthers as they held Rollins scoreless for the first six and a half minutes of the game, recording three steals.
- Ty Harpring continued his hot streak from the last game (6 3PTS vs Albany State) by drilling a three for the game's first basket and Noah Van Bibber hit a jumper to give the Panthers an early 5-0 lead.
- Rollins finally got on the board with 13:25 on the board with free throws but the Panther defense continued to dominate early, not allowing a made until the 12:20 mark of the half.
- Brewer Nitcher threw down a dunk after outmuscling the Tars for an offensive rebound, Greyson Williams got into the lane for an easy lay and Austin White knocked down his first three-pointer of the night as the first half reached the midway point.
- Despite the early defensive success, Rollins hit four straight shots to get back into the game.
- After both teams traded a basket, Ty Harpring drilled another three and drove the lane for a smooth finger roll to give Tech a 21-15 lead with six minutes left in the first twenty.
- In the final five minutes, Brewer Nitcher converted a tough three-point play in the paint, Greyson Williams hit a pair of three balls, Ca'Darrius Sowell got to his spot for an elbow jumper to extend the lead to double-digits.
HALFTIME SCORE - Florida Tech 37, Rollins College 24
Second Half:
- The second began got off to a hot start with each side scoring double-digit points in just the first few minutes.
- Sowell, Nitcher and Harpring all added buckets for the Panthers as they stayed out in front, 50-40 through the first five minutes.
- After a gritty possession in which the Panthers earned three offensive boards and steal, AJ Lieuwen drilled a three and Xavier Ford-Belton hit a pair of free throws as the Panthers continued to lead by 10+ points with under ten minutes remaining.
- While Rollins sprinkled in a few shots from the stripe, Brewer Nitcher sunk a three and two shots from the line as the Panthers led 63-49.
- The Tech defense had shined all game and late in the game it did not fade as they held the Tars to just nine made field goals in the second half with five minutes remaining.
- Matt Daulerio got inside for an easy two and Logan Allen added another, but back-to-back threes from the Tars at the four-minute mark cut the lead to single digits.
- Both teams traded free throws, but another Rollins three-pointer cut the Tech lead to four at 65-61 with 1:24 on the clock.
- Sowell drew a foul and sank two shots to extend the Tech lead to six points with 43.8 seconds remaining.
- Even though the Tars earned two layups, Brewer Nitcher and Greyson Williams iced the game with free throws.
FINAL SCORE - Florida Tech 71, Rollins College 65
COACHES CORNER:
- Head Coach Will Murphy on the win, "It was a fist fight, but proud of the way we competed. We preached that we wanted it to be ugly and our guys went out there, executed the game plan and were physical. Super excited because I know we can play better and we are just scratching the surface."
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- The Panthers led for all 40 minutes of tonight's contest.
- Tech has now won four straight games, being the first team to do so since 2023.
UP NEXT: The Panthers will be back in Melbourne after wrapping their eight-game road trip to start the year. Tech will host Saint Leo for the team's home opener on Saturday, December 6
th at 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.
