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Davie, Florida – Panther Men’s Basketball traveled down south this evening to take on the reigning national champions, Nova Southeastern.
SSC PLAY – GAME NINE
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 78, #3 Nova Southeastern Sharks 106
Records: Florida Tech (6-11, 2-7 SSC) | Nova Southeastern (12-1, 7-1 SSC)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Davie, Florida
GAME NOTES:
First Half:
- Tonight’s contest began fast, with each team having three possessions in the first minute of action.
- Unfortunately for Tech, the Sharks opened the scoring and went on an early 11-0 run before Ty Harpring drilled a corner three to get the Panthers on the board.
- Brewer Nitcher hit a three, Matt Daulerio got inside in the lane for a tough three-point play and Noah Van Bibber made a three from the wing to get the Panthers rolling offensively, but Nova continued to score in bunches to grow their lead to 34-12.
- Despite the early turnovers, Tech began breaking the Shark press consistently, even converting a press break into a Sterling White III to Xavier Ford-Belton alley-oop dunk.
- Ford-Belton and White III each recorded big blocks as the Panthers tried to slow down the Sharks, but they still trailed by 20+ with under five minutes to play.
- Nitcher and Van Bibber each hit another three to spark a 13-6 run late in the half, but the Sharks responded with another run to close the half.
HALFTIME SCORE – Florida Tech 29, Nova Southeastern 57
Second Half:
- Ty Harpring opened the scoring in the second half with a three before Xavier Ford-Belton threw down a dunk and earned another three-point play on a put-back lay.
- While the Panthers were able to roll offensively to start the second half, NSU responded to every basket, keeping their advantage north of 20 points.
- Brewer Nitcher continued his strong day by knocking down his third three of the game and Ca’Darrius Sowell added another, but Tech was still unable to get stops in bunches.
- AJ Lieuwen dropped eight straight points including a smooth floater off the high glass but the Shark lead grew to 30+ with under ten minutes remaining.
- In the final minutes, Sterling White III hit a corner three, Ford-Belton got out in transition for his third dunk of the game and Logan Allen drilled a three.
FINAL SCORE – Florida Tech 78, Nova Southeastern 106
NOTABLE PANTHERS:
- Xavier Ford-Belton – 12 Points, 10 Rebounds, 1 Block
- Brewer Nitcher – 13 Points, 63% FG, 7 Rebounds, 1 Block
- AJ Lieuwen – 13 Points, 67% FG, 4 Assists
UP NEXT: Tech will return to the Clemente Center for the second time in 2026. The Panthers will host Barry University on Wednesday, January 21st.
