Florida Tech Slips Into Sunshine State Conference Tournament As No. 7 Seed

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Following losses by both Florida Southern and Tampa on Saturday, Florida Tech was not only ensured a spot in the Sunshine State Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament, but also positioned itself as the No. 7 seed, announced by the league office.

The Panthers faltered in the month of January, ultimately finishing 5-11 in SSC play, but closed out the regular season with a 94-79 come-from-behind victory against Palm Beach Atlantic last Wednesday.

As the seventh seed, Florida Tech (14-14, 5-11) will travel to face No. 2 seed Eckerd (22-6, 12-4) in a quarterfinal round matchup on Mar. 2 at 7 p.m. in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Panthers dropped both meetings with the Tritons this season, falling in overtime 104-100 on road back in December and 69-56 on Jan. 30 at the Clemente Center.

No. 1 seed Barry (21-5, 12-4) will host No. 8 seed Florida Southern (10-18, 5-11).

Barry ended the regular season with an 82-69 win over Eckerd. The win gave the Buccaneers the No. 1 seed in the tournament and a three-way share of the SSC regular season championship. After dropping back-to-back games in mid-February, Barry won three straight to close out the regular season.

Florida Southern falls to the No. 8 seed after a loss to Nova Southeastern in the regular season finale. The Moccasins ended February with a record of 2-5, including three consecutive losing efforts.

Barry and Florida Southern split the season series, with the Moccasins claiming a victory in the year’s first meeting on Nov. 18 in Lakeland, 74-72. Barry took the second game, 101-63, on January 27 in Miami Shores.

No. 4 seed Saint Leo (18-10, 10-6) will host No. 5 seed Nova Southeastern (11-15, 6-10).

Saint Leo collects the No. 4 seed following a 10-6 SSC record in the league. The Lions went 4-3 in the month of February, including a regular-season ending win over Tampa. SLU has proven tough to beat at home, boasting a 14-2 record in Saint Leo.

Nova Southeastern reaches the No. 5 seed following a regular-season ending victory over Florida Southern. The Sharks compiled a 3-4 record in the month of February.

SLU beat Nova Southeastern at home, 93-88, on Nov. 21. The Lions were again victorious over the Sharks, 80-61, on Jan. 23 in Fort Lauderdale.

No. 3 seed Rollins (21-7, 12-4) will host No. 6 seed Lynn (12-14, 6-10).

Rollins grabs the No. 3 seed after finishing the season by winning 10 of its last 11 games. The Tars concluded the regular season with a win at Palm Beach Atlantic, marking their fourth consecutive win. Rollins shares the SSC regular season championship with Eckerd and Barry.

Lynn is granted the No. 6 seed following a 6-10 effort in SSC play. The Fighting Knights lost five of their last seven games played, with the two wins coming on the road. For the season, Lynn is 6-6 on the road.

The Tars topped the Fighting Knights, 85-69, in Winter Park on Jan. 6. before beating Lynn a second time on Feb. 20 in Boca Raton, 85-68.

Higher seeds will host during the quarterfinal rounds in the 2016 Sunshine State Conference Men’s Basketball Championships. Semifinals and finals will be held at the ICI Center on the campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach.

The tournament moves to the ICI Center after three years at Silver Spurs Arena in Kissimmee.

Prior to Silver Spurs Arena, the tournaments were held at member institutions from 2002 to 2012. SSC tournament play begins on Wednesday, March 2nd and concludes on Sunday, March 6th.

Links to live coverage for Florida Tech’s quarterfinal matchup can be accessed at FloridaTechSports.com.

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