Melbourne, Florida – Florida Tech Men's Basketball was back in the Clemente Center this afternoon to take on the University of Tampa Spartans. Coming off a big win over Barry in their last contest, the Panthers were looking to continue building positive momentum as the regular season enters the final ten games.

SSC PLAY – GAME ELEVEN
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 95, Tampa Spartans 81
Records: Florida Tech (8-11, 4-7 SSC) | Tampa (10-8, 4-7 SSC)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Florida

GAME NOTES:
First Half:

• After Tampa opened the scoring with a 5-0 run, Greyson Williams got to the line to get Tech on the board.
• While the Spartans continued to make shots, Ty Harpring and Matt Daulerio each hit three pointers to keep Tech in the game.
• Needing a spark, Ca'Darrius Sowell drilled back-to-back three to pull the Panthers within two points at 21-19.
• The Tech defense started to heat up as they forced three turnovers in a two-minute span, and following their fourth straight defensive stop, Greyson Williams hit a big-time three to give the Panthers their first lead of the game at 24-21.
• The three balls continued to fall for the Panthers as Xavier Ford-Belton and Brewer Nitcher drilled shots to extend the lead to 30-23.
• While Tampa tried to close the gap in the final minutes of the half, Xavier Ford-Belton blew by his defender for a two-handed slam, Sterling White III got to the rack for an under the rim layup, and Ty Harpring drilled another three as the Panther lead grew to double digits.
• The Tech defense held the Spartans scoreless for over three minutes, including forcing four turnovers en route to an 18-0 run to end the half.

HALFTIME SCORE - Florida Tech 48, Tampa 28
Second Half:

• The defensive show tech was putting on continued into the second half as they began the final twenty minutes by forcing the tenth Tampa turnover of the game.
• Noah Van Bibber got into the lane for a layup and hit two threes, Ca'Darrius Sowell hit a two-point jumper as the Panther lead grew to 26 points at 59-33.
• Tampa made a run to cut the lead to 15, but threes from Van Bibber and Daulerio kept Tech in control as the second half approached the midway point.
• Despite Tampa trying to chip away at the Tech lead, more three balls from Harpring and Daulerio had Tech in front 79-66 with seven minutes left to play.
• The Panther lead grew once more after Xavier Ford-Belton split the defense for a ferocious dunk, followed by three-pointers by Brewer Nitcher and Van Bibber.
• With under five minutes remaining, Tech knocked their 19^th three-pointer of the game and stymied a late comeback effort by the Spartans.

FINAL SCORE - Florida Tech 95, Tampa 81

COACHES CORNER:

Head Coach Will Murphy on the big win, "That win followed the vision of Florida Tech basketball; we played unselfish and connected. One of our best games on both sides of the ball, proud we had six guys in double digits and a seventh with 9 points, excited about how many different guys contributed.

NOTABLE PANTHERS:

• Ty Harpring – 15 Points, 3 Rebounds
• Noah Van Bibber – 15 Points, 6 Rebounds,
• Ca'Darrius Sowell – 14 Points, 6 Assists, 5 Rebounds

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Tech hit 19 threes this afternoon, which is tied for the second most in program history.
• The Panthers set a season high with 95 points in the win over Tampa

UP NEXT: Tech heads back on the road for two straight games next week. The Panthers will travel to Daytona Beach to face Embry-Riddle for the second edition of the Karman Clash on Wednesday, January 28^th at 7:30 PM. Men's hoops will wrap up the week on the road at Saint Leo on Saturday, January 31^st. Tip for the final contest of the week is 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.