MELBOURNE, FLA. – Florida Tech Men’s Basketball played in front of the Clemente Center crowd for the first time in the 2026-27 season on Friday night as the Panthers hosted Valdosta State. The Panthers were active defensively throughout the night, forcing 23 turnovers, but the Blazers ultimately proved too much as Valdosta State earned the win, 69-48.

NON-CONFERENCE – GAME TWO
Final: Florida Tech Panthers 48, Valdosta State Blazers 69
Records: Florida Tech (0-2) | Valdosta State (2-0)
Location: Clemente Center | Melbourne, Florida

GAME NOTES:
First Half:

• The teams traded threes to open the scoring with Matt Schaminda getting on the board first for Tech.
• The Blazers would then respond with a 7-0 run to take a 10-3 advantage at the 15:45 mark.
• The Crimson and Gray came back with an 14-4 spurt of their own to take a 17-16 lead with 7:58 left in the half.
• The run was keyed by freshman David Young, who scored six of the 14 points.
• The Panthers would be held scoreless over the next 3:17 before a Greyson Williams layup broke the drought.
• Florida Tech would only score once more in the final 4:40 of the half on a Tin Tikvesa tip, and the Blazers would head to the locker room with a seven-point advantage.

HALFTIME SCORE: Florida Tech 21, Valdosta State 28

Second Half:

• Williams’ floater just inside the three-point line started the second half scoring just over a minute in.
• VSU would answer with a 9-0 run over the ensuing 2:16.
• An Isaiah Gillard layup and Brewer Nitcher triple would shrink the deficit to 37-28 with 15:51 to go.
• The Blazers responded with a 7-2 spurt to extend their lead to 13.
• From there, a Schmainda three, Williams tip-in and two Gillard free throws closed the gap to seven with just under 12 and a half to go.
• After Ty Harpring hit all three of his free throws after being fouled, the Panthers were only behind 45-40 with 10:57 remaining.
• That would ultimately prove to be as close as the Panthers got, as Valdosta State would go on a 22-4 run over the next 6:42 to put the game beyond reach.

FINAL SCORE: Florida Tech 48, Valdosta State 69
 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Ty Harpring has now hit a three-pointer in 24 consecutive games dating back to November 29, 2025. This is tied for the sixth-longest streak in program history.

UP NEXT: The Panthers wrap up their first week of the season on Sunday afternoon at the Clemente Center against Edward Waters. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 P.M.
 

For the latest news, updates and information on 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.

SCHOLARS. LEADERS. CHAMPIONS.

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