Tampa Sweeps Season Series Versus Saint Leo

ST. LEO, Fla. - The University of Tampa (19-5, 8-5 SSC) men's basketball team took the season series from Sunshine State Conference opponent Saint Leo University (10-14, 1-13 SSC) with a 69-60 victory over the Lions on Wednesday evening.

After trailing 37-33 at halftime, the Spartans took its first lead of the second half at 40-39 on a pair of Rashad Callaway free throws with 16:12 to play. Tampa then built a 12-point advantage as it outscored the Lions 20-4 over the first eight minutes of the second half.

Saint Leo cut the Spartans lead to five points at the 6:08 mark before UT reeled off eight consecutive points to put an SLU comeback bid on ice.

Callaway finished with a game-high 31 points as he reached the 30-point plateau for the second time of 2010-11 and first since Dec. 4 at Barry. Callaway has now scored in double figures in 13 consecutive contests and all SSC games.

The preseason All-American and SSC Player of the Year candidate connected on four 3-pointers and was a perfect 11-for-11 from the charity stripe. He also led all Spartans with two assists and five steals.

Anthony Griffis joined Callaway as the lone Spartans to score in double figures as he added 10 on the evening. Griffis also held team honors with five rebounds as Callum Townsend came off the bench to score nine points.

In a game where UT was outshot 42.6 to 35.3 percent, the Spartans held a slight 34-33 edge on the boards but were able to get to connect on 80.6 percent from the free throw line while the Lions struggled at 62.5 percent.

The Spartans return home on Saturday as it looks to complete the regular-season sweep of Nova Southeastern University in a 4p.m. matchup from the Martinez Center. Live stats and a webcast will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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