Tampa Basketball Set For SSC Doubleheader With Florida Tech

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's, women's basketball programs look to keep the ball rolling at home on Saturday afternoon as they welcome Florida Tech to campus after nail-biting wins against Palm Beach Atlantic.

WOMEN'S:

The Matchup: University of Tampa Spartans (16-6, 10-4 SSC) vs. Florida Tech Panthers (7-14, 3-10 SSC)

Date/Time: Saturday, February 9th at 2:00 pm. 

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla. | 400 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606

Series History: The Spartans ahead in the series, 39-35; Tampa has won the last two meetings against the Panthers. Tampa won the first match of the season, 57-42, as UT had three players with double-digit points. Dori Nagy  posted 15 points and nine rebounds at Florida Tech, on December 8th. Julia Ingram and Emily Eshoo both finished the game with 12 points.

Last Time Out: Tampa outlasted Palm Beach Atlantic, 57-54, on Wednesday night. The Spartans had some late-game heroics from Dori Nagy as she got to the basket receiving the bucket and the foul with seconds left on the clock. Dori Nagy led the team with 20 points and seven rebounds. Staja Tyghter added 15 points and five rebounds to the contest. Julia Ingram was 3-5 from 3 point range with 11 points and five assists off the bench for the Spartans.

About the Spartans (Women): UT currently holds the two spot behind Florida Southern in the Sunshine State Conference. Tampa has only lost two games at home this season, posting a 10-2 record so far. Dori Nagy leads the team in scoring, as she's put together back to back 20-plus point games. Tyghter has scored in double-digits in 20 of 22 games played thus far. Tampa leads the SSC in defensive scoring only giving up 53.2 points per game. The Spartans have two rebounders averaging over 8.5 rebounds per game for the first time since 2005-2006 (Erica Woodard 10.0, Sheena Walton: 8.6).

About the Panthers (Women): Florida Tech dropped the SSC matchup against Florida Southern on Wednesday night, 72-56. Tereza Sedlakova led the Panthers with a 20 point and nine rebound effort against the Mocs. Kailyn Ebbs contributed 10 rebounds and three assists in the loss.

MEN'S:

The Matchup: University of Tampa Spartans (10-12, 4-10 SSC) vs. Florida Tech Panthers (8-13, 2-11 SSC)

Date/Time: Saturday, February 8th at 4:00 pm. 

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla. | 400 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606

Series History: Tampa leads the series 53-26, and the Spartans have won the last contest. On December 8th, Tampa defeated Embry-Riddle, 99-69. The Spartans had five players with double-digit points. Anthony Gamble complied 24 points sinking 7-12 from three-point range. Devon Colley was perfect 4-4 from three finishing with 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Both Moreno and Biffle added 13 points.

Last Time Out: Tampa traveled to Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday night, and UT fought throughout the game and ended up beating the Sailfish in a nail biter, 66-63. Marco Downer  took control of the game with a career high of 16 points, 11 rebounds, and four blocks. Freddie Ibrahim was right behind with 15 points and eight rebounds.

About the Spartans (Men): Tampa will look to use their recent win as a habit despite all the injuries that have put a hold on the Spartans. Gamble, the team's leading scorer, averages 16.3 points per game and has scored in double-figures in 13 of the last 15 games. Downer leads the SSC in blocks, and ranks 32nd in the NCAA with 43 total blocks. Cedric Belemene  ranks 20th in the NCAA in total rebounds with 190. After missing five games due to injury, Colley has scored in double-digits in four of the last five games. 

About the Panthers (Men): Florida Tech was led by Derek Murphy on Wednesday night as had an outstanding 34 points against No. 24 Florida Southern. The Panthers came up short, 103-92, despite having one of their better offensive games. The Panthers hurt themselves with 16 turnovers as well as the Mocs shooting 43.5 percent from three. Sesan Russell helped the efforts with 25 points. The Panthers are led by Murphy, who averages 22.6 and 8.6 rebounds per game.

Tickets: General admission ticket prices for all Tampa regular season athletic events are $5. Youth (ages 12 and under) are admitted free of charge. UT students and faculty/staff are admitted free with a valid Spartan ID.

Watch Live: Fans may watch the game through TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are available through TampaStats.com.

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