Spartans Overthrow Falcons

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (7-3) men's basketball team took on Pfeiffer University (3-8) in its final day of the Tampa Classic Sunday afternoon. The Spartans defeated the Falcons 75-74.

Tampa began the contest with an 8-0 run scoring 50 percent from the field, while holding their opponents to just 37 percent.The Spartans moved well in transition, and managed to score six fast break points.

UT ended the half up by five, led by Eric Moraes with eight points.

During the second half, Tampa continued with the same energy possessed in period one. The home team led by as many as eight points, until the Falcons caught fire from three-point range. Pfeiffer shot 57 percent from beyond the arch, inching them closer to the Spartans toward the end of regulation.

Despite a three-pointer by the Falcon's Mike Smith with 50 seconds to go, the Spartans defended down to the wire to ensure the game ended in their favor.

Moraes concluded the game with a double-double (16 points and 10 rebounds), while Ryan Kidd and Vincent Cornu added 13 and 12 points respectively. Jordan Davis registered eight assists.

The Spartans will break until the first week of January, in which Sunshine State Conference games are set to begin. They will meet Rollins on Jan. 4th at home.

Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans), Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans), YouTube (youtube.com/utathletics) and Instragram (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.