Surging Spartans Win Seventh Straight Game

TAMPA, Fla. - For the first time since 2002, the #17 University of Tampa men's basketball team won its seventh straight game with a 95-89 victory over Florida Tech. The Spartans move to 16-4 overall and 9-2 in the Sunshine State Conference as the Panthers drop to 16-5 and 5-5 in conference play.

The entire first half was a back-and-forth battle, with neither team leading by more than five points. In a half where there were 11 lead changes, the Panthers managed to grab a slim 43-42 halftime lead.

The second half was similar to the first half until UT went on a run at the 8:54 mark. Trailing 69-68, the Spartans went on an 11-1 run that included a pair of three pointers by Chris King. That was all the Spartans needed as they held on for the victory to split the season series with Florida Tech.

King enjoyed a career day as he set a new career high with 27 points to lead the Spartans. He finished 11-16 from the field, including 5-9 from three-point range as he also chipped in three assists in 35 minutes of play.

Jeremy Black and Johnathan Ball added 19 points apiece while Black also grabbed a team-high 19 rebounds for UT. Freshman Rashad Callaway added 16 for Tampa.

Callaway, Ball and Black each had six assists to lead the Spartans while Ball led the team with four steals. Evans had a pair of blocks to lead UT.

UT now has a pair of SSC road games on its slate, beginning with a Wednesday evening trip to Saint Leo. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m.