Header pic: Sean Houpt – Credit: Florida Tech Athletics

The Florida Tech Panthers (9-5, 3-6 SSC) lost to the 17th-ranked Barry Buccaneers on Wednesday, 89-69 at Miami Shores. Florida Tech was stuck in traffic and got to the Barry Campus after 8:00 p.m., but with the women’s game going into triple overtime, they were able to start just before 9:00 p.m.

Leading scorer Sesan Russell, who had been out of the Panthers lineup since being injured in a game against Florida Atlantic on December 17, returned Wednesday and finished with 10 points. Sean Houpt led the Panthers with 17, while Mekhii Noble had 16 and Runako Ziegler finished with 14.

Noble picked up three fouls in the first half, which went back-and-forth throughout. The two teams were tied at 17. Ameer Bennett’s bucket with 5:26 left in the half made it 25-23 Panthers. Barry reeled off six straight and led 31-25 before Russell drained a there to make it 31-28 with 3:18 to go.

After a three from the Bucs (11-2, 5-2 SSC), Ziegler got a basket and Russell hit a free throw, closing the gap to 34-31 at the half.  

Houpt knocked down a three 59 seconds into the second half to tie the game at 36. Barry then went on a 13-4 run and led 49-40. The Panthers would cut it to five, before Barry went off again, going up 57-46 with 11:50 to go.

The Panthers got it down to seven, but they couldn’t keep Barry down, as they stepped on the gas, taking control until the final buzzer.

For more info: Florida Tech @ Barry Box Score

Florida Tech returns home this Saturday to host Lynn. The game will tip around 4:00 p.m.