Tampa Holds Off Puerto Rico-Bayamon To Capture Third Straight Victory

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - After leading by 23 points at halftime, The University of Tampa (3-1) was able to hold off a furious rally to top the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon (0-5) by a 93-88 score.

Tampa dominated the first half, taking a 21-point lead with 12:39 to play in the period. The Spartan advantage remained in double figures for the duration of the half with UT leading by as many as 27 points before taking a 57-34 lead to the half.

UPR-Bayamon chipped away at the Tampa lead, which it gradually cut to single digits with 9:45 to play. A 3-pointer by Melvin Rivera with 3:46 to play gave UPR an 87-86 lead, which marked the first time it led since 2-0. A pair of free throws by UT's Mounir Benzegala tilted the lead to the Spartans, who later stretched the lead to two possessions on a pair of Rashad Callaway free throws.

A day after scoring double figures for the first time in his career, freshman Callum Townsend led Tampa with a team-high 25 points. The Riverview, Fla., native connected on 6-9 from 3-point range and 7-9 from the free throw line. He also finished with six rebounds and two assists in 35 minutes of play.

Rashad Callaway added 20 points while Glyn Hunter turned in 15 to aid the Spartan effort. Callaway also held team honors with seven assists.

Marcus Morrison had a team-high two blocks and two steals while fellow sophomore Ashton Graham came off the bench to grab a team-high nine rebounds. Morrison and Hunter each added five offensive boards to lead head coach Richard Schmidt's squad.

Tampa held a 43-31 advantage on the boards though UPR outshot Tampa by a .500 to .446 mark.

The Spartans return to action on Saturday as it opens Sunshine State Conference play at Florida Tech. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in Melbourne. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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