MELBOURNE, FLA. – Four different Panthers finished with double-digit point totals, and Tech had their best team shooting night of the season as they never trailed in the second half, leading to the first conference win at home.

FINAL: Florida Tech 89, Barry 80
Records: Florida Tech (5-18, 2-13 SSC) Barry (9-14, 5-10 SSC)
Locations: Melbourne, Fla | Clemente Center
 
STATS OF THE MATCH:

First Half:

• Max Polk started the day off for the Panthers with a three-pointer assisted by Logan Allen.
• Much like past games from this season, Max Polk started the matchup with multiple three-pointers, shredding the Bucs defense and leading to an early 11-8 lead for Tech.
• The Bucs would respond with a few three-pointers, tip-ins, and dunks amid a 12-0 run to take the lead mid-way through the first half, 20-11.
• Down nine, Tech would need a spark to stay toe-to-toe with the Bucs.
• That spark would come from Donovan Brown ending the scoreless streak with an and-one lay-in.
• Polk, Logan Allen, Xavier Ford-Belton, and Can Kaan Target would all assist in the comeback for the Panthers with a flurry of three-pointers, layups, and free throws, leading to a 15-0 run, Tech now in the lead, 26-20.
• Down the stretch, the Bucs would climb back and tie but never lead again going into the half.
• Marko Malekinusic and Ben Csernak would register valuable minutes, each with a three-pointer, and Malekinusic with five points in seven minutes.
• Polk led the game heading into the half with 16 points, shooting an outstanding 66% from the field, while Brown followed behind with 11 points and five rebounds to lead the team.

 
Second Half:

• Polk started the second half just as hot as the first, accounting for Tech's first seven points of the half and holding the lead, 47-37.
• Tech would keep their foot on the gas with multiple and back-to-back three-pointers from Brown and to follow another set of back-to-back three-pointers from Isaiah Edden as their lead would grow to 19, 80-61.
• This game wouldn't just yet be put away as the Bucs would close the gap to just 10 points right on the two-minute mark.
• It would be efforts from just about all in Edden, Polk, Brown, and Csernak putting the needed touches to finish the game in favor of the of the Panthers as they win 89-80

 
NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Donovan Brown led the game in scoring with 28 points on 66% shooting, hit a career high six three pointers, had a three-way tie for the lead in rebounds on the day with eight, setting a new career high in that category, and he also collected two blocks, which were also a career high.
• The second leading scorer in the game was Max Polk, with 25 points on 64% shooting
• Ben Csernak registered a career-high 10 points on 100% shooting from the field at two of two and five of six from the free-throw line.
• Isaiah Edden scored all his 14 points in the second half while leading the game in assists with six.

 
COACHES CORNER:

• "So many people played a part and in a great win and you know I'm so proud of them and they have gotten smarter as the season's going on and their execution is much better now Defensively." Said Head Coach Billy Mims. "We're playing harder, playing smarter, and we're rebounding better as well. Tonight, Donovan Brown was the player of the game with 28 points, eight rebounds, four assists, only one turnover, and two blocks. He shot 10 for 15 for the floor and six of 10 behind the arc and had just a tremendous individual performance, also, Max got off to a great start, and we lead 40 to 35, and Xavier Ford-Belton had another tremendous night defensively for us, collecting eight rebounds and two huge block shots. Also, Isaiah had 14 points and a game-high six assists, and Isaiah also made six of eight at the free-throw line and hit two huge threes for us. The Bucs were fighting back in the second half after we built a 19-point lead. Isaiah had two huge threes to pull us away and give us some breathing room, and our bench played well. We shot the lights out, shooting 70% from the field in the second half, and we knocked down eight out of 10 threes, 80% from three in the second half, and 70% from the floor. We were 15 for 25 from the field. Our entire team played well, and I'm happy for them because they earned this win."

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Tech had two shooters finish over 63% from the field individually and a team total of 54% from the field, which is their highest this season, and the team shot an even 60% from three-point range, also a season high.
• The Panthers collected their second-highest defensive rebound total with 33, scored their second-highest point total with 89, and had their highest team assist total with 20.
• Four Panthers scored in double-digits.
• All-time vs. Barry: 
• The Panthers have won five of the past six matchups dating back to February 16, 2022. 
• Tech is 21-18 all-time at home against the Buccaneers and has won four straight at home against Barry for the first time since doing so between February 11, 1998, and February 17, 2001.

 
UP NEXT:
The Panthers will hit the road and travel to Boca Raton, Fla, and step into the deHoernle Sports & Cultural Center to face the Lynn University Fighting Knights on Wednesday, February 12 at 7:30 pm

For the latest news, updates, and information on the Florida Tech Men's Basketball team, 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.