Spartans Fall to No. 13 Sailfish in Senior Day Battle

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Men's Basketball celebrated Senior Day Saturday afternoon in its final game of the regular season but fell after a thrilling battle with No. 13-ranked Palm Beach Atlantic.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Palm Beach Atlantic 101, Tampa 84
Records: Tampa (16–10, 10–9 SSC), Palm Beach Atlantic (24–4, 16–4 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half
The Sailfish won the tipoff and struck first. Cole Gingeleski recorded a big block, and Justin Taylor hit a three to get the Spartans on the board. Gingeleski followed with a slam, and Camden McCormick added a three. Ian Higdon scored inside as the Sailfish kept things tight. Trent Scott finished through traffic, and Ryan Blount recorded a steal and layup. McCormick knocked down another from behind the arc, and B.J. Schaeffer converted an and-one. Taylor drilled a three as the shot clock wound down. Trey Lane came up with a big steal that led to a Kyler Lamb layup, and Gingeleski added another dunk. The Spartans worked for defensive stops while producing offensively as both teams battled for the lead. Blount finished through contact for an and-one, and Schaeffer threw down a dunk of his own. The Sailfish eventually took the lead as Tampa looked to force turnovers.

Second Half
The Sailfish came out firing to start the second. McCormick and Lane each scored on layups as Tampa worked to chip away at the deficit. The Sailfish continued their strong defensive performance, but a Blount layup helped disrupt momentum. Scott took advantage of a fast break opportunity, though Palm Beach Atlantic responded quickly. Ben Southerland recorded a steal that led to a Taylor bucket. Schaeffer added back-to-back fast break scores, Blount knocked down a three, and Gingeleski finished another slam. The Spartans continued battling to cut into the lead but ultimately fell 101–84.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Ryan Blount: 17 pts, 6 reb, 3 ast, 1 stl
• Trent Scott: 12 pts, 2 reb, 3 ast
• Camden McCormick: 10 pts, 4 reb, 7 ast
• Justin Taylor: 9 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast
• B.J. Schaeffer: 9 pts, 3 reb

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 52% (32–62)
• Three-Point Percentage: 35% (7–20)
• Free Throws: 68% (13–19)
• Rebounds: 26
• Bench Points: 16 (19%)
• Points in the Paint: 24 (29%)
• On the Fast Break: 28 (33%)

UP NEXT

Tampa will head into Sunshine State Conference Tournament play on Tuesday, March 3. The location, time, and opponent are to be determined.