Benzegala Leads Spartans To Victory In League Opener

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team won its Sunshine State Conference opener behind a career day by senior guard Mounir Benzegala. Following the 77-70 victory, UT improves to 4-1 overall and 1-0 in the SSC while Tech falls to 5-1 and 1-1 in league play.

UT built a 23-12 lead with 9:52 to play in the first half and kept the momentum for the duration of the first half. Benzegala hit a jumper with four second to play in the half as Tampa to a 41-29 advantage to the half.

The Panthers chipped away at the Spartan lead, coming as close as one point with 11:04 to play. With UT carrying a 51-50 lead and 8:36 to play, the Spartans picked up some leverage with an 8-0 run. Florida Tech came within three points with 2:32 on the clock, only to be turned away with a 5-0 Tampa run.

Benzegala finished with a career high 24 points on 8-13 shooting from the field. He was also 8-11 from the free throw line. Rashad Callaway added 20 points while freshman Jerrel Harris turned in a career high 12 points.

Callaway led the Spartans with eight assists and three steals from his point guard position. Sophomore Ashton Graham grabbed a team-high seven rebounds off the bench for Tampa.

The Spartans return to action on Wednesday at Benedict, which is a critical NCAA South Region matchup. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Columbia, S.C.

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