Nova Southeastern Takes Florida Tech To School In 128-84 Rout, Panthers Suffer 6-Game Losing Streak
By Florida Tech // February 17, 2019
Pefanis leads Florida Tech with 28 points
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA (Florida Tech) – Florida Tech fell to No. 4 Nova Southeastern, 128-84, Saturday in an SSC showdown at the Don Taft Center.
Antonis Pefanis led all players in the game with 28 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including four three-pointers, and a 4-of-4 effort at the charity stripe. The junior also collected six rebounds and two steals against the Sharks.
Derek Murphy finished with 19 points and seven rebounds, while Trey Schaneville recorded 11 points and two steals. Valur Valsson dished out a game-high nine assists to go along with five points and three steals.
Harry Craik and Chris Cummings each contributed seven points and brought down four and three rebounds, respectively.
NSU got off to a fast start, knocking down three quick buckets to grab a 6-0 lead just 1:30 into the game.
Just as quickly, the Panthers went on an 8-0 run and took an 8-6 lead with 17:06 left in the first half. The spree included threes by Murphy and Pefanis and a fast break lay-in by Russell.
Later in the half, the Sharks used a 7-0 run to jump ahead 23-15 with 13:07 to go before halftime.
The Panthers continued to go back-and-forth with NSU but were able to cut the deficit to 31-26 following consecutive layups by Valsson and Murphy. The five-point margin remained the same as the teams went to their benches for the third media timeout, at the 7:35 mark of the half.
However, something changed in that timeout and the No. 4 team in the nation came out with a different intensity.
The Sharks scored 13 straight points out of that stoppage en route to a 27-9 run to close the first half.
NSU continued to roll in the second half and cruised to their fourth win in a row. For the Panthers, the result extends their current skid to six games.
Florida Tech (8-16) made 25-of-56 (.446) field goals with nine made threes and a 25-of-32 (.781) performance at the line. NSU went 46-of-80 (.575) from the field, 19-of-36 (.528) from beyond the arc, and 17-of-24 (.708) on free throws.
Tech was out-rebounded 46-29 in the game. The Sharks also finished with an edge in points in the paint, 52-35, points off turnovers, 40-16, fast break points, 22-10, and second-chance points, 15-6. The Panthers’ bench was outscored 62-19 in the game.
Florida Tech will look to bounce back when the team travels to Daytona Beach for a matchup with Embry-Riddle on Feb. 20. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. at the ICI Center.
For the latest news, updates and information on the Florida Tech men’s basketball team, visit FloridaTechSports.com
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