The Notre Dame College Falcons and Florida Tech Panthers did battle in day one of the Florida Tech Winter Classic at the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center on Sunday night. The Panthers would prevail 89-82 in overtime after the Falcons scored the final five points in regulation to force the extra session. With the win Florida Tech stayed perfect at home as they improved to 7-0. They are now 9-3 overall. NDC fell to 8-3 after the defeat.
Both teams got off to frigid starts on the offensive end in this one. It was 4-2 Panthers at the first media timeout. It was 13-7 FIT when the Falcons went on a 5-0 run as Godinez hit a 3-pointer and got into the lane to dish off to Sam Jackson for a layup that made it 13-12 Panthers at the 11:53 mark of the first half. It was 21-12 Panthers when the Falcons went on another run. Mike Sampson connected from deep, then Jaedon Willis knocked down a three of his own. After a pair of Willis free throws Tyland Crawford gave the Falcons the lead 22-21 with a layup on a pass from DeiArius Barker at the 6:22 mark of the first half. A pair of Daylin Lee layups kept NDC in front before Josh Mims knocked down a 3-ball for the Panthers. Lee would give NDC the lead right back 28-27 at the 3:24 mark of the first stanza. The next six points went to FIT but NDC would close the half on a 5-0 run as Lee made a layup, Godinez hit a pair of free throws after a Panthers technical foul, and Lee converted the and one to knot the game at 33 as both teams went to the locker room.
NDC shot 35 percent in the opening half, 29 percent (4-14) from the 3-point line, and 71 percent (5-7) from the free throw line. The Falcons were +10 (12-2) in points off turnovers, +6 in second chance points (8-2,) and had a 9-0 advantage in fast break points.
The Panthers shot 43 percent from the field, 40 percent (4-10) from the free throw line, and a perfect five of five at the free throw line.
A Godinez jumper would give the Falcons the lead to open the second stanza. The game was tied at 37 after a Crawford bucket but the Panthers would score the next four points. NDC would regain the lead (42-41) after a Crawford 3-pointer with 13:38 to go but the Panthers would answer. A Willis 3-pointer at the 9:50 mark would give NDC the lead once again, this time at 50-47. The two teams would be on the seesaw as the game was tied at 59 after a Barker 3-pointer tied it at 59 with just over six minutes to play. The Panthers would open a five point lead (66-61).) It was again a five point game (72-67) with 44 seconds left. Godinez continued his hot shooting as his 3-pointer cut the lead to two (72-70.) After a defensive stop by NDC as Sam Grant missed a 3-pointer Sampson grabbed the rebound and was fouled. The junior from Houston calmly stepped to the line and sunk both free throws to tie the game at 72. The Panthers had a chance to win it in regulation but did not convert.
The Panthers scored the first eight points of the extra session to take control. A Willis three point play got the Falcons within five but that is as close as they would get the rest of the way.
Head Coach Mark Richmond talked about the game:
" Tough one tonight, thoughts are guys played really well after we settled in. We're not happy with the outcome but we really battled and gave ourselves a great chance to win,"Richmond stated.
The Falcons were led by Godinez who had a career high 23 points. The junior from Baltimore was one of four players in double figures on the night. Willis added 17 points, while both Crawford and Lee tallied 11. The Falcons shot 40 percent from the field, 36 percent (10-28) from the 3-point line and 88 percent (14-16) from the free throw line. They had 21 assists and eight turnovers in the game.
FIT was paced by 22 points from Sean Houpt as he went 14 of 15 at the free throw line, Runako Ziegler added 21 points and 10 rebounds, Mekhii Noble had 18 and 12 rebounds, while Niaill Harris added 14. FIT shot 45 percent from the field, 44 percent (11-25) from the 3-point line, and 74 percent (28-38) from the free throw line. They won the rebounding battle 43-32. The Panthers had 19 assists and 12 turnovers in the contest.
Richmond talked about the challenge tomorrow:
" Looking forward to bouncing back tomorrow. Lynn is a very talented team. They play very different than Florida Tech. It will be another tough challenge."
That game is scheduled Monday at 4:30 PM from the Charles and Ruth Clemente Center in day two of the Florida Tech Winter Classic.
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