Florida Tech Pulls Off a Night to Remember
Picture this: a 24‑point first‑half deficit, a packed arena on the road, and the Panthers roaring back to finish the season with a triumphant 75‑65 win over Saint Leo. That’s exactly what happened Saturday afternoon in Brevard County.
Who Stole the Show?
- Isaiah Edden smashed his career‑high with 24 points, lighting up every jump shot and dunk.
- Max Polk was all in, dishing out 21 points and a clutch hook that sent the crowd into a frenzy.
- Logan Allen added a double‑double—15 points and 10 rebounds—staying on the floor like a Navy SEAL.
The Turnaround Moment
After trailing by 24 in the first half, the Panthers didn’t just sit on a lies. They started a relentless comeback in the second half, pulling the scoreboard in their favor and keeping the pressure on Saint Leo’s defense until the final buzzer.
Final Score & Takeaway
Florida Tech: 75 vs Saint Leo: 65
With this win, the Panthers cap off a season that proves they can fight back when it matters. They may have been down early, but they finished strong, and nobody could have imagined a more thrilling finish. Cheers to the Panthers—now you’ve got a story to brag about at any family reunion!
Final Score:
Florida Tech Rocks Saint Leo with a 75-65 Victory
Game Highlights
- Venue: Marion Bowman Activities Center, Saint Leo, Florida
- Score: Florida Tech 75 • Saint Leo 65
- Record Update: Florida Tech now stands at 6-22 (3-17 in SSC), while Saint Leo is 10-18 (5-15 in SSC)
What Made This Game Memorable
- Florida Tech kept the momentum in the fourth quarter, pushing the score beyond the halfway mark.
- Saint Leo fought back valiantly, but the Tech lineup’s defense held strong.
- Fans witnessed an unpredictable battle—an underdog story in the making.
Takeaway Message
Even when the odds look bleak, perseverance beats the scoreboard, proving that every game is a chance to shine.
First Half Recap
Lions Dominate Early, Panthers Make Comeback
From the very first whistle, Saint Leo’s Lions had the crowd buzzing. They launched a blazing 12‑0 surge within the opening four minutes, then stretched it to 16‑0 before Max Polk finally let his first splashy three‑pointer go off the board. The lions’ confidence was glowing brighter than the sun at noon.
Mid‑Half Shockers
- Florida Tech’s Flames: The Panthers were rocked to a 35‑11 wobble after Saint Leo rattled on a relentless 10‑0 run.
- Unshaken Spirit: Yet the firebirds didn’t retreat. They plugged the gap with a fiery 17‑2 burst during the last seven minutes of the first half.
- Key Contributions: Polk pumped in 7 points, while Edden chimed in with 4, cutting the Lions’ advantage to a short, single‑digit corner.
- Halftime tally: Florida Tech 37‑28, a nerve‑tingling comeback that kept the scoreboard humming.
The Impulse Behind the Numbers
While the Lions started with the swagger of a seasoned team, the Panthers showcased the heart of a scrappy underdog. Polk’s late surge and Edden’s steady bullet points fuelled a roaring rally that proved the scoreboard can rewrite stories up until the final buzzer.
Second Half Comeback
Saint Leo’s Big Lead and Florida Tech’s Comeback
After the pause, Florida Tech kept chipping away at the deficit, but the Lions stayed on top. A three‑pointer from Camden Cerese gave the Lions a 51‑40 cushion with 12:27 left on the clock.
- From that point, the Panthers hustled. Over the next 3½ minutes, they outscored Saint Leo 8‑2, with Logan Allen dropping four points in the burst.
- When the Lions pushed their lead back to nine at 57‑48 with 7:36 remaining, Florida Tech launched a decisive 12‑0 run. Edden’s clutch three‑pointer at the 5:39 mark gave the Panthers a first lead. Allen hit two more threes, while Edden and Polk added six additional points.
- Just 4:23 left, Brady Corso was fouled on a three‑point attempt. He made the first two free throws, but missed the third—letting Florida Tech run the ball home.
- The Panthers finished strong with a dominant 15‑6 closing run. Edden scored nine points in that stretch, and Marko Malekinusic, Manos Dimou, and Polk contributed key baskets to seal the victory.
In the end, Florida Tech proved that a fast‑break surge can change the game, but Saint Leo’s strong start kept them warm all the way.
Standout Performances
Game Recap: Stars Shining on the Court
Isaiah Edden: Career‑High Explosion
Isaiah Edden lit up the scoreboard with 24 points that left fans cheering louder than a summer concert. He shot a solid 6‑of‑11 from the field, stole the spotlight with 4‑of‑6 three‑pointers, and made it rain from the free‑throw line (8‑of‑9). On top of that, he grabbed 7 rebounds, tossed in 3 assists, and snagged 2 steals—basically a full‑service performance.
Logan Allen: Double‑Double Dominance
Logan Allen rolled up the third double‑double of the season: 14 points and a game‑high 14 rebounds. The rookie also knocked down two blocks that had the crowd roaring. A real force‑of‑nature on the glass.
Max Polk: Stage‑Setting Scorer
Max Polk delivered 21 points, even though the ball didn’t always land in his hands (7‑of‑19 FG). He hit nearly every free‑throw (6‑of‑7) and added 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals. On top of the night’s brilliance, Max’s season average has jumped from a humble 5.9 points last year to a whopping 16.96 points—talk about a rising star!
Beyond the Box Score
Florida Tech Upends the Lions with a Decade‑Long Thrilling Rally
Breaking back‑story – Since the 2014‑15 season, the Goat‑Loving Saint Leo team has been running the gauntlet, racking up a 14‑7 win edge over Florida Tech. Now the Panthers rewrote that ledger again with a jaw‑dropping 49‑67 all‑time record.
Record‑Breaking Numbers
- Florida Tech’s lone win at the iconic Marion Bowman Center in the past 15 years – the 4th of its kind.
- Only 14‑32 in Santa Leo’s back‑court since 1980 – a fact that keeps the locals hat‑tossed for years.
The Big Comeback
The big 24‑point lift is the billowing masterpiece of Florida Tech’s season – the biggest gush in the last ten years. The 15‑point comeback that stole the spotlight back in 2018 against Palm Beach Atlantic will finally fade into history.
Turning the Tables on Turnovers
Florida Tech locked in 22 raw points on 16 Saint Leo blunders. That’s a tidy 1.4 points for every error.
Rebounding & Paint Control
- Overall rebounding: 44‑43 – a near‑tie that shows the Panthers left nothing on the floor.
- Off‑court boards: 11‑10, a sweet masculine slice.
- Inside the paint: 32‑26 – a 6‑point advantage that kept the board tilted for their benefit.
Florida Tech’s sheer grit and second‑half prowess wrapped up the 2024‑25 season in a thunderbolt, giving fans a finish worth shouting about, and sharpening the memory for the rest of the year.
