Tampa Bests Rival Florida Southern in Crucial SSC Stretch Game

LAKELAND, Fla. – The University of Tampa men's basketball team picked up a crucial Sunshine State Conference road victory Saturday night, taking down rival Florida Southern 85–80 in a tightly contested matchup at Jenkins Field House. The Spartans used late-game poise, dominant rebounding, and a 47-point second half to overcome the Moccasins and secure their third straight win.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Tampa 85, Florida Southern 80
Records: Tampa (15–10, 9–9 SSC), Florida Southern (20–8, 12–6 SSC)
Location: Jenkins Field House | Lakeland, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half

Tampa opened aggressively, with Camden McCormick getting the scoring started on a strong drive through the lane. Ryan Blount followed minutes later with a composed finish at the rim to put the Spartans ahead 4–0. Florida Southern responded from deep, and the teams traded baskets early as McCormick continued to attack, hitting a mid-range jumper to regain the lead.

The Spartans benefitted from sharp ball movement as Trey Lane drilled a wing three off a Blount assist. Tampa's bench provided a lift midway through the half, with B.J. Schaeffer scoring back-to-back layups to push the margin to 18–10. However, the Moccasins countered with a series of paint touches from Khalil Ross and timely shooting from Brady Corso to close the gap.

As the half progressed, Florida Southern surged ahead, with Corso knocking down two late threes—including one with 37 seconds left—to give the Mocs a 40–38 advantage at the break. Tampa stayed within striking distance thanks to hustle plays, including key offensive rebounds from Kyler Lamb and Cole Gingeleski.

Second Half

Florida Southern opened the half with another deep shot to increase their lead, but Tampa quickly settled in. Blount buried a jumper, and Gingeleski threw down a two-handed dunk off a Blount feed to cut the deficit to one. McCormick added a smooth pull-up to swing momentum back to the Spartans at 46–45.

From there, Tampa's offense began to click. Justin Taylor knocked down a mid-range jumper, Ian Higdon tipped in a crucial second-chance basket, and Blount continued to assert himself with drives to the rim and clutch free throws. Florida Southern pushed back with perimeter shooting from Spencer Schomers, who hit multiple threes to tighten the contest.

With eight minutes remaining and Tampa clinging to a 63–62 lead, the Spartans made their decisive push. Blount converted a contested layup, Gingeleski drilled a corner three off a McCormick assist, and McCormick added a steal-and-score to extend the lead to 70–62. Tampa's defense tightened, forcing turnovers that delayed the Mocs' attempts to chip away.

Blount then delivered another dagger three with just over five minutes remaining, and later added a tip-in to maintain the cushion. Despite a late surge led by Florida Southern's Jasir Tremble, who hit consecutive threes in the final minute, the Spartans' composure at the foul line sealed the victory—highlighted by Blount and McCormick combining for four made free throws in the last 36 seconds.

INSIDE THE STATS

Ryan Blount: 24 pts, 7 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl
Trey Lane: 13 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl
Camden McCormick: 13 pts, 9 reb, 5 ast, 2 stl
Cole Gingeleski: 8 pts, 6 reb, 2 blk
Justin Taylor: 6 pts, 6 reb, 1 ast
Trent Scott: 7 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 43% (29–68)
• Three-Point Percentage: 29% (6–21)
• Free Throws: 75% (21–28)
• Rebounds: 45 (UT +10 advantage)
• Points in the Paint: 44
• Points off Turnovers: 22

UP NEXT

Tampa remains on the road, traveling to Saint Leo University on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.