MELBOURNE, Fla. — Head coach
Mike Donnelly secured his 200th win at the helm of Florida Southern College men's basketball (13-4, 5-2 Sunshine State), after an 81-73 victory over Florida Tech (6-10, 2-6 Sunshine State) at the Charles & Ruth Clemente Center on Saturday. He joins Linc Darner (218) and Gordon Gibbons (246) as FSC head coaches with 200+ wins.
"After struggling shooting the ball in the first half, we executed much better offensively in the 2nd half to pull away for a big road win," stated Mocs head coach
Mike Donnelly. "It wasn't easy, but it was good to see our guys step up to make some big plays to secure the win."
Florida Southern initiated the first half with a quick start, as
Jasir Tremble hit a fast-break 3-pointer at 19:55, assisted by
Ameer Ramadan. This set the tone for a back-and-forth battle, with both teams exchanging leads six times. The Moccasins relied heavily on their 3-point shooting, converting six from beyond the arc, while also capitalizing on fast-break opportunities to accumulate 12 points.
Despite the Panthers' attempts to keep the game close with free throws, FSC maintained a slight edge by forcing turnovers and securing 12 points off the bench. A crucial layup by Tremble with 37 seconds remaining ensured the Moccasins closed the half leading 36-35 over Florida Tech.
Florida Southern College opened the second half with momentum from Tremble's assisted 3-pointer at 19:47, extending their lead. Ramadan's defensive rebound led to a fast-break layup by Tremble, further widening the gap.
Brady Corso capitalized on multiple opportunities, contributing crucial fast-break points and free throws to maintain the advantage.
By mid-half, the Mocs continued to assert control with
Charlie Dalton's dunks and
Spencer Schomers' effective play in the paint. Despite brief pushbacks from the Panthers, Florida Southern's defense, highlighted by blocks and steals, sustained their lead. The half concluded with a solid scoring drive, as Dalton secured points in the final minute, ending the game with FSC leading 81–73.
Dalton scored 21 points and collected nine rebounds, leading the team offensively. Tremble added 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and contributed four assists. Corso recorded four steals while scoring 11 points and securing six rebounds. Schomers posted 10 points and registered four blocks, providing a strong defensive presence. Florida Southern's defense was pivotal, as the team recorded 10 steals and forced 13 turnovers, leading to 18 points off turnovers.
Looking ahead, the Moccasins will host Embry-Riddle at George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Florida, on Wednesday, Jan. 14. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
