Tampa Falls Just Short In Season Opener

Tampa Falls Just Short In Season Opener

Team Stats

November 14, 2014

Box score

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - In a rematch of the NCAA South Region opening round game, the University of Tampa and the University of North Alabama played a close game that was decided in the last 30 seconds. The Lions came out on the winning side by a final score of 88-87.
 
In the first half , the Spartans shot 52.9% to give them a 48-45 advantage. Eight different Tampa players scored in the opening half of play, with Jordan Davis leading the way with 13 points. Davis sunk made four shots in the half, including three three-pointers and two free throws. Eugene McCrory also was in double figures for the half, as he added 12 points for the Spartans.
 
In the second half, North Alabama started off hot as they were able to take the lead from the Spartans. At the 9:51 mark, the Lions built their lead to 73-66. Tampa kept chipping away at the UNA lead, and were able to tie the game up again at 80-80 with 3:57 left on the clock.
 
At 2:26, Tampa took the lead again at 83-82 with a McCrory free throw. With just 30 second left on the clock, UNA's Calvin Dade converted on a layup, and made the free throw after being fouled to give the Lions an 88-87 lead. With 5.1 seconds left on the clock, UT inbounded the ball to Davis, but his final shot attempt was blocked by North Alabama.
 
McCrory led Tampa in scoring with 21 points. He also added eight boards. Davis added 20 points and eight assists. Austin Rettig and Matt Johnson also scored double figures for the Spartans, as they added 12 and 11 points respectively.
 
Tampa will be in action again tomorrow, as they take on the University of Alabama in Huntsville.