Second Half Slump Dooms Spartans

Box score

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team failed to hold on to a halftime lead, falling 63-52 to Florida Tech in Sunshine State Conference action. The loss drops the Spartans to 8-7 on the season as UT has now lost three straight. The Spartans now carry a 1-3 SSC record as Florida Tech improves to 5-11 overall and 1-3 in league play.

Tampa carried a 32-30 lead into the half after leading the majority of the first half, by as many as seven points. Tampa kept the lead until Florida Tech took a 39-38 advantage with 17:22 on the clock. The lead was then exchanged twice before the Panthers took the lead for good with 14:59 remaining.

Florida Tech, who led 43-41 with just under 13-minutes remaining, went on a 20-3 run from the 12:41 mark to the 51-seconds remaining to lead by a total of 19 points. The Spartans then scored the final eight points of the game to cut into the final margin.

Jeremy Black led all Tampa scorers with 16 points and also recorded a double-double with 10 rebounds. Black connected on 5-6 field goals while playing all 40 minutes. Jeff James was the other Spartan in double figures with 13 points. Leading scorer Chris Evans was held to just seven points, though he did grab 10 rebounds. Matt Pezzullo led the Spartans with four assists and was one of five UT players to register a steal.

Tampa is back in action on Saturday, January 13 in a non-conference matchup with Palm Beach Atlantic. The game is scheduled for 4:00 pm at the Bob Martinez Sports Center.