ST. AUGUSTINE – Keshaun Hamilton scored a game-high 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds but it wasn't enough as Florida Tech managed to stave off a stubborn Flagler College team 87-81 in a non-conference men's basketball game Monday night at Flagler Gymnasium.

Florida Tech improved to 8-1 on the season while Flagler fell to 5-2 and has completed its non-conference schedule.

Hamilton made 10 of his 12 free throw attempts and was 7 for 15 from the field. He added two blocked shots. Lydell Manigo tallied 16 points for the Saints while Dennis Diaz tacked on 14 more. Jerrell Oxendine tallied nine points and dished out five assists.

The Saints were red-hot from free throw line knocking down 17 of 21 for an 81% mark.

Chris Carter led the Panthers with 19 points and five assists while Corbin Jackson recorded a double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds. Jackson also blocked four shots. Sam Daniel added 13 points while Jordan Majors checked in with 12 points. Akeem Jackson came off the bench to provide 10 points and four rebounds.

Florida Tech, a member of the Sunshine State Conference, made 58.1% (18-31) of its shots from the floor in the first half and took a 44-41 lead into the break. The Panthers out-scored the Saints 48-30 in the paint.

Matt Clark gave the Saints a 13-12 lead after he stole a pass and took the ball down to the other end for a layup with 12:45 left. The Panthers answered emphatically when Corbin Jackson made a baseline move to the basket unabated and one-hand dunked the ball and Florida Tech never trailed again.

The Panthers opened up a 14-point lead (71-57) midway through the second half and the Saints rallied back, to within four, and could not get any closer.

Next up for Flagler will be the Peach Belt Conference opener against the University of North Georgia on Thursday (Dec. 18) at 7:30 p.m. at Flagler Gymnasium.