Chris Evans Sets UT Blocks Record as Spartans Roll to SSC Finals

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team registered a 75-55 victory over visiting Saint Leo University in the 2008 Wendy's Sunshine State Conference tournament semifinals. The Spartans improve to 20-7 while SLU falls to 14-15.

The game stayed close throughout the first half, with each team holding multiple leads. While Saint Leo led by six with 6:58 remaining in the first half, the Spartans rallied back to take a 36-35 lead on a Chris Evans three-pointer with 1:11 remaining until half.

The second half was all UT as the Spartans built a double figure lead in less than six minutes. The lead was stretched to 21 as UT emptied its bench with just under four minutes remaining.

Evans finished with 10 blocks, breaking his own school record of nine. He also led Tampa with 20 points, including three long-range shots.

All five UT starters were in double figures as Chris King added 14 and Jeremy Black and Johnathan Ball each had 12. Rashad Callaway also chipped in 10 for the Spartans.

Black led Tampa with 10 rebounds and three steals while Callaway dished out eight assists.

UT advances to Sunday's title game, where they will face SSC regular season champion Florida Southern College at 1 p.m. The game will be televised live on FSN Florida.