No. 12 UAH Too Much for Spartans in Season Opener

SAINT LEO, Fla. - The University of Tampa Spartans men's basketball team fell to the No. 12 ranked Alabama-Huntsville Chargers by a score of 82-61 in the first day of the Saint Leo Tournament.

In the first half, Tampa was outscored 39-27 by UAH. The Chargers went 15 of 30 from the field converting three of seven from three point range, while the Spartans went 11 of 35 from the field converting only one of six from three point range. The Spartans were out rebounded by the Chargers 24 to 16. Matt Johnson led the first half with four points and four assists. Jaylen Taylor came off the bench and had four rebounds for Tampa.

In second half action, play stay consistent with the Spartans being outscored 43 to 34, and losing by a final score of 82 to 61. The Chargers finished shooting 30 for 63 from the field converting 7 of 21 from three point range, while the Spartans went 22 of 66 from the field converting only 5 of 20 from beyond the arc. The Chargers defeated the Spartans on the boards, out rebounding them 45 to 37.

Zach Hollis led the Spartans with 11 points and five rebounds, seeing 28 minutes of action. Matt Johnson helped fuel the Spartans offense with eight points and six assists, but found himself in foul trouble early in the second half with three. Pat Bacon, Anthony Gamble, and Marcel Robinson contributed to the Spartans scoring with a combined 25 points.

Tampa will be back in action tomorrow against North Alabama in day two of the Saint Leo Tournament. The game will tip-off at 2 P.M. at Saint Leo University.

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