Spartans Tackle Tars in SSC Home Opener

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (8-3, 1-1 SSC) men's basketball team defeated Rollins College (6-5, 1-1 SSC) 76-63 Saturday afternoon at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.

The Spartans hit the court running after Da'Markco Foster scored the first five points in the first minute of play. The home team controlled the half outrebounding Rollins by 10, shooting 63 percent from the field, and 50 percent from three-point range.

Tampa scoring was balanced throughout the squad early on; Foster ended the half with eight points, while Eric Moraes contributed seven. Jordan Davis displayed excellent court vision as he recorded six assists early on. Tyler Zacur presented a spark off the bench hitting back-to back- three pointers.

Spartans outplayed the Tars in the second half mirroring their energy in the first. The highlight of the game had to be the connection between Moraes and Davis, as the two displayed the athletic alley-oop play numerous times throughout the match.

Eric Moraes led all scorers with 21 points and 10 rebounds. Foster registered 12 points, while Zacur and Ryan Kidd added nine points apiece. Davis recorded 13 assists.

Tampa will host Saint Leo Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. The Spartans lead the all-time series 53-15. The teams split the 2012-13 regular season series 1-1, and met again in the Sunshine State Conference quarterfinals where the Lions defeated the Spartans 68-55.

Tickets are available at the gate for $5. Children 12-and-under will be admitted free. UT faculty, staff and students are admitted free when displaying a valid Spartan ID card.

UT will offer live stats and a webcast for the match through TampaSpartans.tv.

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.