VIDEO: Sam Daniel Scores 37-Points as FIT Opens Winter Classic with 107-87 Home Win

By  //  December 19, 2017

FIVE PANTHERS REACH DOUBLE FIGURES IN WIN

ABOVE VIDEO: Guided by five players in double digits, Florida Tech (5-6) brushed off a nine-day layoff and raced to its fifth victory of the season, besting Miles College (0-8), 107-87, on the first day of the Winter Classic Monday night at the Clemente Center.

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA — Guided by five players in double digits, Florida Tech (5-6) brushed off a nine-day layoff and raced to its fifth victory of the season, besting Miles College (0-8), 107-87, on the first day of the Winter Classic Monday night at the Clemente Center.

The 107 points matched a season-high for FIT, which has now scored above the century mark in consecutive games. The Panthers reached the point total while knocking down a season-best 41 shots on 58.6 percent shooting, their highest efficiency rating of the season.

Leading the barrage was Sam Daniel, who notched his second double-double of the year, with 37 points on 14-for-23 shooting, 11 rebounds, four steals and three assists.

Richard Coil secured his second straight double-double, fifth of the season, recording 18 points on 8-for-10 shooting and a game-high 12 rebounds. Joining in on the party was Valur Valsson who amassed 13 points and 12 assists for his second double-double of the campaign.

Michael Milligan and Antonis Pefanis also reached double-figures in the victory, each scoring 13 points on 5-for-7 shooting.

Florida Tech limited Miles to just 42.9 percent (33-for-77) shooting and 28.6 percent (6-for-21) from beyond the arc. The Crimson and Gray outscored the Golden Bears in the paint, 56-28, and controlled the glass, 42-32.

ABOVE VIDEO: Florida Tech’s All-American forward Sam Daniel talks with Friday Night Locker Room’s Orville Susong after leading the Panthers to a 20 point win over Miles. Daniel scored 37 points to lead all scorers. 

The Panthers’ 24 bench points were the most in a single game all season.

Milligan got off to a fast start and scored the first seven points of the game for the Panthers, who led 7-2 less than two minutes after the opening tip. The Golden Bears accounted for 16 of the next 24 points in the contest and led 18-15 at the 14:05 mark of the first half.

From there Florida Tech outscored Miles 28-8 and took a 43-26 advantage after a pair of made free throws by Valsson with 4:30 remaining in the first half. However, a late run by the Golden Bears would cut the margin back down to eight just before halftime.

Florida Tech’s Daniel Tabbed Basketball Writers Association National Player of the WeekRelated Story:
Florida Tech’s Daniel Tabbed Basketball Writers Association National Player of the Week

The Panthers dominated after the break and would not let Miles close the gap to single digits the final 17:00 of game time. Led by Daniel, who scored 21 of his 37 in the second half, Florida Tech built its advantage to as much 27 points, cruising to the final buzzer and its fourth home win of the season.

Florida Tech returns to the court on Tuesday hosting Shawnee State at 6 p.m. ET at the Clemente Center.

The Bears (8-4) are coming off a 93-75 loss to Lynn in the first game of the Winter Classic on Monday. Fans can access live coverage of the Panthers matchup with SSU at FloridaTechSports.com/live.

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