MELBOURNE, Florida - The Clemente Center was not kind to the No. 18/23 Embry-Riddle men's basketball team on Wednesday night, particularly in the second half, as the Eagles suffered just their third loss of the season, 76-61 against Florida Tech. ERAU dropped to 12-3 overall and 5-3 in SSC play, while the Panthers moved to 13-4 overall and 6-3 in league action.

ERAU shot just 27.6% in the final 20 minutes, seeing a tie game at halftime end in a 15-point loss.

The Panthers started hot, hitting seven of their first 10 shots and taking a 17-13 lead at the under-12 media timeout. 

The hosts increased the lead to 24-13 on a Sesan Russell trey before Jon Alessandro was able to answer with one of his own on the Eagles' offensive end.

The two teams traded buckets over the next several minutes as the hosts continued to shoot the ball at a torrid clip, knocking down 12-of-17 from the field entering the third media timeout of the first.

Jerry Bracey II provided a spark for the Eagles around the five-minute mark, making back-to-back driving baskets to cut the FT lead to 31-26.

Following a couple of empty possessions for both squads Bracey II did it, getting to the hoop and converting and then a moment later Bracey II was fouled, getting to the charity stripe where he split the pair of free throws, making it a 31-29 ball game.

Danny Sully tipped in an offensive rebound to briefly tie the game at 31-31 with under a minute remaining before the Panthers got a couple free throws to retake the lead.

Jared Berry's layup with three seconds left on the clock sent the game into the break tied at 33-33.

After starting red hot from the field, the Panthers cooled off, particularly from distance, ending the period at 46% shooting from the floor, while the Eagles shot the ball at a 47% clip overall.

Malcolm Whitlow scored the first four points of the second half, giving the Eagles their first lead of the night. However, Russell scored the next six points as the home team reclaimed the lead.

ERAU went cold from the floor over the next three minutes, and the Panthers took advantage, going on a 9-0 run to take a 48-39 lead before an Alessandro fadeaway stopped the bleeding, but ERAU's offensive struggles continued and FT slowly grew the lead out to 57-45 at the under-eight media timeout.

Whitlow was whistled for his fifth foul with six minutes left, forcing the junior guard to sit for the remainder of the contest.

The Eagles just could not seem to get any rhythm on the offensive end, at times going several minutes without making a field goal, and the Panthers pulled away for the 76-61 victory.

Whitlow scored 15 points for the Eagles in the loss, while Murray finished with 14 points and six rebounds.

ERAU's 16 offensive rebounds resulted in only four second chance points.

Embry-Riddle stays on the road this weekend, traveling to West Palm Beach to take on Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday, Jan. 14. Tip between the Eagles and Sailfish is set for 4 p.m. from Rubin Arena.

The 2022-23 Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball season is presented by Daytona Kia.