Melbourne, Florida – Florida Tech Men's Basketball was back on their home court this afternoon for the first time in the new year. The Panthers took on SSC foe Florida Southern.
SSC PLAY – GAME EIGHT
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 73,
RV Florida Southern Mocs 81
Records: Florida Tech (6-10, 2-6 SSC)
| Florida Southern (13-4, 5-2 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center
| Melbourne, Florida
GAME NOTES:
First Half:
- This afternoon's SSC contest began with both sides trading threes as Ca'Darrius Sowell knocked down his first shot of the day.
- The three balls continued to fall early in this contest, with Noah Van Bibber and Ty Harpring knocking down shots in the first four minutes.
- With Tech leading 9-8, Florida Southern used a 9-1 run to take their first multi-possession lead of the game.
- Three pointers from Van Bibber, along with back-to-back layups from Xavier Ford-Belton and Sowell, helped the Panthers close the gap as they trailed by only one point at 24-23.
- Free throws from Sowell at the eight-minute mark gave Tech its first lead since early in the first half.
- Both teams again traded buckets in the final minutes of the first half, but it was a 7-0 run from the Mocs that gave them the one-point lead at the break.
HALFTIME SCORE - Florida Tech 35, Florida Southern 36
Second Half:
- To begin the second half, the Mocs used a 10-5 run to re-extend their advantage.
- Buckets from Van Bibber and Sowell kept the Panthers within striking distance as Tech trailed 51-43 with 14 minutes remaining.
- While Florida Southern was able to grow the lead back up to double-digits, three pointers from Brewer Nitcher and AJ Lieuwen, plus jumpers from Sowell, cut into the deficit.
- The Panther defense was able to hold the Mocs without a made field goal for nearly six minutes, but unfortunately for Tech, they were unable to make shots in bunches and FSC remained out front.
- With four minutes on the clock, Tech cut the lead all the way down to six points, but Florida Southern finally got back on the board and closed the game out.
FINAL SCORE - Florida Tech 73, Florida Southern 81
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- Ca'Darrius Sowell's 27 points set his Panther career high and his second-highest point total of his entire college career.
- Xavier Ford-Belton continues to excel on defense, recording three blocks and five steals.
UP NEXT: Tech will head down south again as they travel to Nova Southeastern. The Panthers and Sharks will tip at 7:30 on Wednesday, January 14
th.
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.
