Lions Upset Spartans in Regular-Season Home Finale
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Spartans men's basketball team suffered a loss at the hands of Saint Leo University on Wednesday night, in the regular-season home finale for the Spartans.
Final Score: Saint Leo Lions 85, Tampa Spartans 52
Records: Saint Leo Lions (12-14) SSC (7-12) , Tampa Spartans (15-9) SSC (11-8)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Florida
All-Time Series: The Spartans are 62-24 in matchups against the Lions. Their last matchup was on Jan 5th with the Spartans taking the victory.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: The Spartans had a poor shooting performance in the first half. Shooting a low 33% from the field. Although this was the case, the Spartans were trailing under five points until the 9:33 minute mark when the pace of the game started to pull away from them. The Lions went on an 11-2 making three three-pointers to help put the Lions up 12 (27-15). However, the Spartans got the Lions into foul trouble with five minutes remaining. The Spartans shot 80% from the free-throw line to narrow the deficit to just six. II Score: 36-30 (Lions)
Second Half: The Spartans came out with a good pace, trying to cut more into the Lions' lead. (17:54) Max Jones hit a three-pointer to bring the Spartans to one point from tying the game (37-38). The Lions would retaliate as they managed to maintain the lead. By the 12 minute mark, the Lions went on a 17-0 run that over the course of five and a half minutes before Bryan Williams would score to put an end to the misery (66-47). A 17-0 run would turn into a 34-2 run with 2:46 remaining (83-47) that would see the deal for the Spartans after a poor shooting performance. || Score: 85-52 (Lions)
INSIDE THE STATS
- Lakovic and Jones led Tampa with 11 points apiece.
BEYOND THE BOX
- The Spartans never led in the game
- Tampa is now fifth in the SSC, though a Spartan win on Saturday would propel them to fourth, and possibly third in the league standings.
- Florida Southern ended SSC play at 12-8, as Tampa is 11-8.
- Barry occupies third place, as the Buccaneers are 12-7 with a game against Saint Leo on tap for Saturday.
UP NEXT: Tampa will face Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday at 4 p.m., in West Palm Beach, Fla.
