Spartans End Skid With Upset on the Road
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team got back in the winning column while handing Nova Southeastern an 80-72 loss on the road. The victory ends UT's three game losing streak and put an end to a string of six straight Sunshine State Conference losses. Tampa improves to 10-10 on the season and now stands at 2-6 in SSC play. The Sharks fall to 9-9 and 4-4 in league games.
The first half featured six lead changes as the Spartans managed to take a two-point lead to halftime. UT quickly pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Sharks 10-0 coming out of the half. Tampa was able to hold its double figure lead for the majority of the half to record the victory.
A total of five Spartans scored double figures, led by Jeremy Black and Johnathan Ball with 16 apiece. Chris Evans added 13 while Chris King and Jeffrey Moore scored 10 apiece.
Evans led UT with eight rebounds as he and Jeff James each had a pair of blocks. Black finished a perfect 6-6 from the field as 14 of his 16 points came in the first half. James and Matt Pezzullo were tops on the team with four assists each.
UT now focuses its attention on three games next week, beginning with a home contest on Monday against Florida Tech. Tip-off is slated for 7:30 pm at the Bob Martinez Sports Center.