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MBB vs. Eckerd win
71
Winner Florida Tech FT 4-17,1-12 Sunshine State
69
Eckerd Eckerd 9-12,4-9 Sunshine State
Winner
Florida Tech FT
4-17,1-12 Sunshine State
71
Final
69
Eckerd Eckerd
9-12,4-9 Sunshine State
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Florida Tech FT 36 35 71
Eckerd Eckerd 31 38 69

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Jeff Cooney Jr

Max Polk Sets Career-High 32 in Panther’s Thriller Win Over Eckerd on the Road

MELBOURNE, FLA. – The Panthers earned their first win in the SSC and the new year after a gritty performance against the Eckerd Tritons behind Max Polk's career-high/game-high 32 points and Xavier Ford-Belton's career-high/game-high 10 rebounds.

FINAL: Florida Tech 71, ERAU 69
Records: Florida Tech (4-17, 1-12 SSC) Eckerd (9-12, 4-9 SSC)
Locations: St. Petersburg, Fla | McArthur Center
 
STATS OF THE MATCH:

First Half:
  • Xavier Ford-Belton got the scoring going for Tech to take their first lead of the game after a one-out-of-two trip at the line from the Tritons, 2-1.
  • To follow, Max Polk quickly dusted off last game's shooting performance by downing four consecutive three-pointers and a pair of free throws en route to a 16-5 start of the game.
  • The Panthers would keep the pressure and build their lead with help from Ford-Belton, Logan Allen, and Can Kaan Turgut having offensive success, 24-15.
  • With under seven minutes to go in the first half, the Tritons would steal some momentum as their buckets started to fall, but with the efforts from Isaiah Edden's eight points, Ford-Belton free-throws, and a jumper from Polk, the Panthers would hold their lead heading into halftime, 36-31.
  • Polk led the game in the first half with 16 points while Ford Belton led the game in rebounds with seven.
  • Head Coach Billy Mims kept a tight lineup as only one reserve, Donovan Murphy touched the court in the first half.
 
Second Half:
  • Polk kept his hot streak going in the second half putting Tech on the board with a jumper.
  • The Panthers sustained their lead for the first eight minutes of the half as all the starting five continued to drop in baskets for Tech.
  • That was until a 2-10 run from the Tritons gave them their first lead of the half, 49-50.
  • From this point further, the Panthers and Tritons would exchange baskets leading to a tight finish.
  • With the Panthers trailing by just two with just 2:30 remaining, a tough jumper from Edden would fall to tie the game and a pivotal block from Ford-Belton gave the Panthers an opportunity to take the lead back, 67-67.
  • In the next possession, Edden would be fouled while in the double bonus and sink both free throws, 69-67.
  • The Tritons would then be called for a crucial offensive foul giving the ball back to the Panthers.
  • Needing a basket to push their lead it would be a screen and roll to the basket as Polk would get a wide-open layup at the rim assisted from Ford-Belton, 71-67.
  • The Tritons had one opportunity to tie but it would be a great contest from Polk as the shot would be no good and the Panthers would earn the win, 71-69!
 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
  • Max Polk finished with a career-high 32 points on 47% shooting, his former career high was 31 points again North Greenville University on 11/30/24.
  • Xavier Ford-Belton collected a career-high rebounds in 10 and a career-high in blocks with three while just one field goal away from a double-double.
  • Isaiah Edden matched a season-high with 14 points.
COACHES CORNER:
  • "I thought Max Polk was unbelievable." Said Head Coach Billy Mims. "He was the SSC Conference player of the week based on tonight's performance. Not only did he have an outstanding offensive night finishing with 32 points and scoring 16 of our first 18 points, but he held Eckerd's best scorer (Isaiah Placide) to 10 points, nine below his season average, 3-16 shooting, and 0-7 from three. Isaiah Edden ran and executed the offense well, had tremendous passing handled the ball well playing the whole game, hit clutch shots for us, and had just one turnover while helping lead down the stretch and was a true floor general tonight. Xavier Ford-Belton had an outstanding defense game a career-high in rebounds and blocks with the game-clinching block to put the ball in our hands late. We played hard and smart tonight and defensively we held Eckerd to 37% on their home floor, and 1-9 from 3 in the second half, just a tremendous effort from our team, and I'm proud."

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
  • All-time vs. Eckerd: 35-65 (since 1972-73)
  • Tech is 15-31 on the road against Eckerd since 1978
 
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will stay on the road and travel to Winter Parker, FL to take on the Rollins College Tars on Wednesday night, February 5th, at 7:30 pm.
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