Strong Interior Play Not Enough as Spartans Fall to No. 6 PBA

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The Spartans battled throughout and found success in the paint against No. 6-ranked Palm Beach Atlantic, but ultimately fell 82–70 in the matchup.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Tampa 70, Palm Beach Atlantic 82
Records: Tampa (9–6, 3–5 SSC), Palm Beach Atlantic (15–1, 7–1 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half
Palm Beach Atlantic won the opening tip, but Justin Taylor quickly put Tampa on the board in his first start as a Spartan. Ryan Blount knocked down a three-pointer to give Tampa an early lead, followed by a Trent Scott steal that led to a B.J. Schaeffer finish at the rim.

Tampa jumped out to an early advantage before the Sailfish responded to tie the game. The tempo increased as Scott and Trey Lane provided an offensive spark, while Camden McCormick and Ian Higdon controlled the paint and glass. Palm Beach Atlantic began to build momentum late in the half, though Scott capitalized on fast-break opportunities and Ben Southerland added a layup to cut into the deficit. The Sailfish closed the half on a run, taking a 39–29 lead into the break.

Second Half
Palm Beach Atlantic came out strong to open the second half, capitalizing on early rebounds. McCormick opened the scoring for Tampa with a fast-break layup, followed by another bucket from Blount as the Spartans worked to chip away at the lead.

Tampa continued to push the pace with transition opportunities and trips to the free-throw line, but the Sailfish took advantage of second-chance points to extend their lead. McCormick converted a key and-one to keep the Spartans within reach. Tampa remained aggressive in the paint, scoring more than half of its points inside, but was unable to close the gap, falling 82–70.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Ryan Blount: 12 pts, 7 reb, 2 ast
  

• B.J. Schaeffer: 12 pts, 2 reb, 1 stl
  

• Trey Lane: 11 pts, 4 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl
  

• Trent Scott: 10 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl
  

• Justin Taylor: 9 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast
  

• Camden McCormick: 7 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast
  

• Ben Southerland: 5 pts, 1 reb, 2 blk
  

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 44.0% (29–66)
  

• Three-Point Percentage: 21.0% (5–24)
  

• Free Throws: 47.0% (7–15)
  

• Rebounds: 35
  

• Bench Points: 29 (41%)
  

• Points in the Paint: 48 (69%)
  

• Points off Turnovers: 16 (23%)