Panthers Downed by Eagles in a South Regional Match Up 60-47

FORT MYERS, Fla. (men’s basketball) – Despite valiant efforts by EJ Murray (Rockledge, Fla.) and Jod Kelley (McCormick, S.C.) who combined for 30 of the 47
total points by the Panthers, the crimson and grey hoopsters fell by 13 to the Eagles of Florida Gulf Coast 60-47.

Keeping the game close in the opening minutes at 7-5, Tech allowed the Eagles to go on a 14-3 run to gap their lead from two to 13 with 10:16 left on the
clock. Murray scored the next four points to shorten the Eagles lead to nine at 21-12 but couldn’t narrow the gap. Florida Gulf Coast held a comfortable 10
point lead throughout the rest of the half and went into half time leading by 12 at 38-26.

Starting off on an 8-0 run at the start of the second half, the Panthers clawed within five of the Eagles at 39-34 with 15:52 on the clock. After a made
lay-up by the Eagles, Tech went on another 8-3 run to tail the Eagles by two 44-42. With 10:29 left in the second half, the Eagles soared back to an eight
point lead in less than six minutes taking any last minute comebacks out of the Panthers attack. Tech scored only five points late in the game to mark
their final game score of 47 points on the night as they fell to Florida Gulf Coast 60-47.

E.J. Murray led the Panther with a game high of 20 points while Jod Kelley totaled 10 points in their efforts against the Eagles. Murray, the 5’11 point
guard also contributed five rebounds and two steals while the 6’8 forward Kelley grabbed 7 boards and one steal.

The Panthers now 4-9 overall return home for their turn at the Sunshine State Conference starting in the New Year on January 3rd, 2007 hosting Lynn
University at 7:30 pm in the Clemente Center.

Newspaper Box Score
Florida Tech vs FGCU
12/30/06 7:30 pm at Fort Myers, Fla.
At Fort Myers, Fla.
FGCU 60, FLORIDA TECH 47
FLORIDA TECH (4-9)
MURRAY, EJ 5-18 8-8 20; KELLEY, Jod 3-10 2-2 10; McNALLY, Carl 2-9 0-0 5;
RICHARDSON, Arthur 2-3 1-2 5; MRKSIC, Janko 1-6 0-0 2; WOODSON, Donovan 1-1
0-0 2; SEDLAK, Justin 1-2 0-0 2; BALLARD, Ryan 0-1 1-3 1; CLARK, Damien 0-0
0-0 0; PAROTTE, Edmond 0-0 0-0 0; AGEE, Markus-Alan 0-0 0-0 0; ZELLER, Sean
0-1 0-0 0; HILL, Matt 0-1 0-0 0. Totals 15-52 12-15 47.
FGCU (11-5)
Wohlleb, Casey 6-12 1-2 13; Bauer, Beau 4-14 1-2 12; Liddell, Adam 2-7 4-4
9; Neptune, Yavney 2-7 1-2 7; Pond, Casey 3-5 0-0 6; Quaintance, Rob 2-6 0-0
5; Dunbar, Brandon 1-5 2-4 4; Barrowes, Terike 2-4 0-0 4; Fortner, Bart 0-0
0-0 0. Totals 22-60 9-14 60.
Florida Tech……………… 26 21 – 47
FGCU…………………….. 38 22 – 60
3-point goals–Florida Tech 5-19 (KELLEY, Jod 2-4; MURRAY, EJ 2-9; McNALLY,
Carl 1-5; SEDLAK, Justin 0-1), FGCU 7-23 (Bauer, Beau 3-8; Neptune, Yavney
2-3; Liddell, Adam 1-2; Quaintance, Rob 1-5; Dunbar, Brandon 0-2; Pond,
Casey 0-1; Wohlleb, Casey 0-2). Fouled out–Florida Tech-None, FGCU-None.
Rebounds–Florida Tech 36 (MRKSIC, Janko 13), FGCU 44 (Liddell, Adam 11).
Assists–Florida Tech 7 (BALLARD, Ryan 3), FGCU 14 (Quaintance, Rob 5).
Total fouls–Florida Tech 14, FGCU 16. Technical fouls–Florida Tech-None,
FGCU-Bauer, Beau. A-973