Defensive Play Leads to Spartan Victory

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team registered a season best for points allowed by recording a 63-47 victory over Florida Tech. The victory, Tampa's second straight, improves the team to 11-10 overall and 3-6 in Sunshine State Conference play. Florida Tech drops to 5-16 and 1-8.

The two teams got off to a slow start, scoring a combined total of four points in the first five minutes. UT came out of the first media timeout to go on a 10-2 run over the next five minutes. The Spartans were able to extend the lead to 12 at the half while closing the half with the final six points.

The Spartans finished the game shooting 50 percent, marking the second time of the season that UT shot at that clip. UT also held Florida Tech to 1-16 shooting from three point range and 36.4 percent shooting from the field.

Chris King scored a team-high 21 points for the Spartans, which also matched a career high. Jeremy Black added 14 following a 12-point second half. Johnathan Ball led the team with eight assists while Ball and Matt Pezzullo each had a pair of steals.

The game also marked the Spartan debut for Jermaine Salmon, who was cleared to play by the NCAA on January 23. Salmon logged a total of three minutes in the contest.

The Spartans now have one day to prepare for a Wednesday night game at Saint Leo. Game time is scheduled for 5:30 pm.