Lakeland, Florida – Florida Tech Men's Basketball was back on the road this evening to take on Florida Southern.
SSC PLAY – GAME EIGHTEEN
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 79, Florida Southern Mocs 86
Records: Florida Tech (10-16, 6-12 SSC)
| Florida Southern (20-7, 12-5 SSC)
Location: Jenkins Field House
| Lakeland, Florida
GAME NOTES:
First Half:
- Florida Southern opened the game with a three but Tech responded right away with a Ty Harpring backdoor cut for an easy layup followed by a three on the next possession.
- Despite another three from the Mocs, the Panther defense earned three steals to keep the contest a one-score game at the first media.
- After some back and forth, Tech turned four straight trips down the floor into points with buckets in the paint from Konstantinos Lagos, Grant Lovette and Matt Daulerio to take a 19-15 lead.
- While the Tech defense forced three more Moc turnovers, Florida Southern continued to hit threes and get inside to keep the scoreline close.
- Back-to-back threes from Ca'Darrius Sowell kept the Panthers out front until a 6-0 run gave the lead back to Southern (26-25) with under eight minutes to play.
- Greyson Williams returned to the lineup in style, picking up 3 steals in the first half and scoring eight straight points at the five-minute mark to put Tech ahead 33-32.
- Both sides continued to trade baskets in the final minutes of the half to send both teams into the halftime break even at 40.
HALFTIME SCORE - Florida Tech 40, Florida Southern 40
Second Half:
- Just like the beginning of the first half, Southern started the second half with a three-pointer and Tech responded with a corner three from Matt Daulerio.
- Southern added another bucket, but a three-ball from Ca'Darrius Sowell and free throws from Xavier Ford Belton gave Tech their first lead of the second half.
- The Tech lead grew to 52-46 after Ty Harpring knocked down a three from the wing and Sowell turned a steal into two points in transition.
- FSC came right back with a quick 11-4 run to re-take the lead 57-56 with just over 11 minutes remaining in the second half.
- Buckets from Sowell, Harpring and AJ Lieuwen, plus multiple defensive stops, turned the lead back in the Panthers favor at 65-60.
- Tonight's game continued to go back and forth as the Mocs answered the Tech lead with a 13-0 run to pull the scoreline back to their side.
- Needing another answer, Ty Harpring got to the line for two shots and Sowell picked a Moc pocket and converted it into an easy layup.
- Greyson Williams then picked up his sixth steal of the game and Xavier Ford-Belton rewarded him with an assist on his slam dunk.
- With under two minutes to play and Southern leading 75-72, the Mocs converted a three-point play and broke the Tech press for points in the paint to close out the game.
FINAL SCORE - Florida Tech 79, Florida Southern 86
UP NEXT: The Panthers will stay on the road for the team's final road contest of the regular season this Saturday. Tech will travel to Miami Shores to face Barry University. Tip-off for this contest 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.
