Spartans Fail to Rally Past #11 Florida Tech

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team (9-3, 3-1 SSC) lost to the eleventh-ranked Florida Tech Panthers (12-1, 2-1 SSC) by a score of 84-67 after scoring the game's first basket.

The two teams started the game on a torrid pace that never let up throughout the first half. Florida Tech grabbed an early 16-7 in the first five and a half minutes after surrendering the game's first basket to the Spartans. Tampa then went on a 21-8 run to go up 30-24 with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half thanks in part to three long-range baskets by Chris Evans.

Carl McNally started the Panther rally with a three-pointer with just over seven minutes to go, propelling Florida Tech on an 18-10 run to close out the half with a 42-40 lead.

Tampa was no match for a potent Panthers offense in the second half as they were outscored 42-27 in the final 20 minutes of the game. The Spartans trailed the whole half, watching Tech put together a 25-12 run over the last ten minutes to close out the win.

Rashad Callaway led the Spartans with 17 points and finished the game tied with Jonathan Ball for the team lead in assists with four. Evans added 15 points and nine rebounds, while Jeremy Black pitched in with 14 points and eight rebounds.

Tampa returns to the floor in St. Petersburg on Wednesday against Eckerd College in a Sunshine State Conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.