Second Half Turnaround Helps Tampa Spoil Senior Night for Florida Southern

Box score

LAKELAND, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team turned an eight point halftime deficit into a 78-72 victory over #22 Florida Southern College. While ending their three game losing streak, Tampa is now 17-7 and 10-5 in the Sunshine State Conference while the Moccasins drop to 21-8 and 12-4 following the senior night loss.

The Mocs came out strong in the first half, holding the lead for the majority of the period before taking a 40-32 lead to halftime. Six first-half three pointers for Florida Southern helped shift the momentum in favor of the Moccasins on their home floor.

Tampa quickly erased the Florida Southern lead in the second half as the Spartans took a 48-47 lead with 14:24 to play. A three-pointer by Johnathan Ball stretched the lead to four as Tampa never trailed again. With 10:54 remaining, the Spartans took a 10 point lead and maintained at least a two possession advantage for the remainder of the contest.

All five starters for Tampa were in double figures, led by 21 for Chris Evans. Rashad Callaway added 16 while Ball had 14. Jeremy Black and Chris King also had 12 and 11 points respectively.

Evans also led all Spartans with 11 rebounds while Callaway and King each had three assists. Black and Evans added two blocks apiece while Black and Callaway each had a pair of steals.

For the game, Tampa outshot Florida Southern by a 50 to 35.7 percent clip. UT also won the rebounding battle 43-36.

Tampa returns to action on Saturday as it hosts Lynn at 4 p.m. The game will be the regular season finale for the Spartans.