Spartans Outlast Eagles in 104–93 SSC Thriller

TAMPA, Fla. – The Spartans won a back-and-forth marathon game against the Embry-Riddle Eagles in a Sunshine State Conference matchup at the Bob Martinez Athletic Center on Saturday evening.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Tampa 104, Embry-Riddle 93
Records: Tampa (11–10, 5–9 SSC), Embry-Riddle (10–11, 7–7 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half
Embry-Riddle won the opening tip. Cole Gingeleski got Tampa on the board first with a three-pointer in his first start of the season, followed by a Camden McCormick triple of his own. The Eagles took an early lead behind Jared Berry's three-point shooting. Justin Taylor answered with a three, while Ryan Blount went to work inside on both ends of the floor. A McCormick layup helped chip away at the Eagles' lead before Taylor knocked down another three, assisted by McCormick.

The pace picked up as the game remained tightly contested. Trey Lane converted an and-one to push Tampa ahead, but the battle continued with both teams trading leads. The Eagles worked to extend their advantage as Tampa's defense increased pressure. Blount buried a three to cut the deficit, followed by another triple from Gingeleski. McCormick came up with a big steal that led to a Taylor three, helping the Spartans find a rhythm late in the half. Tampa went into the break trailing 57–54.

Second Half
Cole Gingeleski opened the second half with a slam as the game continued its fast-paced, back-and-forth flow. Taylor and McCormick fueled the Spartans offensively in transition, while Trey Lane connected consistently from beyond the arc. A Justin Taylor steal led to a Ben Southerland three, helping Tampa maintain its lead.

Lane followed with a huge three-point play as the Spartans made a late push behind strong efforts from Blount, Lane, and Taylor on both sides of the court. Blount finished through traffic to add to Tampa's lead, and a late offensive rally secured a 104–93 victory for the Spartans.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Justin Taylor: 22 pts, 3 ast, 1 stl
• Ryan Blount: 20 pts, 6 reb, 4 ast, 1 blk, 3 stl
• Trey Lane: 16 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, 1 stl
• Camden McCormick: 14 pts, 2 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl
• Cole Gingeleski: 12 pts, 8 reb, 1 ast
• B.J. Schaeffer: 10 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl
• Ben Southerland: 5 pts, 3 reb

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 59% (39-66)
• Three-Point Percentage: 48% (14-29)
• Free Throws: 60% (12-20)
• Rebounds: 27
• Bench Points: 20 (19%)
• Points in the Paint: 48 (46%)
• Points off Turnovers: 23 (22%)
• On Fast Break: 14 (13%)

UP NEXT

Tampa returns to the road Wednesday, February 11, at 7:30 p.m. to face the Barry Buccaneers, before returning to the Bob for a Valentine's Gameday matchup Saturday, February 14, at 4:00 p.m. against Rollins.