Tampa Survives Palm Beach Atlantic In Overtime

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The University of Tampa (9-0) men's basketball team continued its hot start with an 83-79 overtime victory over Palm Beach Atlantic University (6-3) on Monday. With the victory, UT is off to its best start since the 2000-01 season where UT won its first 11 contests.

PBA put the Spartans in a quick hole as it grabbed a 19-8 lead in just under eight minutes. The Spartans trailed by as many as 12 points in the first half before cutting the lead to 27-26 on a Rashad Callaway 3-pointer with 3:35 to go in the opening half. The Sailfish would score the final five points of the half to take a 32-26 advantage to the break.

It took three possessions in the second half for Tampa to claim a 34-32 lead as it was the beginning of a back-and-forth battle that would ensue for the remainder of the half. Inside a minute remaining, Callaway connected on a pair of free throws to give Tampa a 70-67 edge with 28 second to play. PBA came down the floor and quickly tied the game on a 3-pointer by David Wood with 22 seconds to play. UT was unable to connect on the game winner as a 3-pointer did not fall.

Glyn Hunter opened overtime with his lone field goal of the evening, a 3-pointer that would set the tone for the extra period. A field goal and free throw b Ashton Graham stretched the Tampa lead to six as the Spartans led by as many as nine points before surviving a late PBA rally in overtime. After PBA cut the lead to 81-79, UT's Osby Kelly hooked the Sailfish with a pair of free throws with two seconds on the clock.

Callaway finished with a team-high 26 points while making 5 from beyond the arc and hitting 7-for-8 free throws. Callum Townsend added 19 points while Anthony Griffis turned in 16.

Ashton Graham led the Spartans with six rebounds as Townsend was credited with four assists to lead all UT players. Callaway recorded four steals on defense as the Spartans forced 23 Sailfish turnovers.

Tampa will now focus on finals as it will not be in action until Sunday, Dec. 19 versus the University of Tennessee-Temple. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Martinez Center. Live stats and a webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

Fans may also follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers blAst, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.