Spartans Host Sharks in SSC Opener

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa men's and women's basketball teams host Nova Southeastern University in their first conference battle of the season. 

The Matchup (Men's): University of Tampa (1-2, 0-0 SSC) vs. Nova Southeastern (1-1, 1-0 SSC)

The Matchup (Women's): University of Tampa (1-1, 0-0 SSC) vs. Nova Southeastern (2-0, 1-0 SSC) 

Date/Time: Saturday, November 19 at 2 and 4 p.m.

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

Last Time Out (Men's): Tampa survived a close win over Puerto Rico-Mayaguez to tally their first win. UPRM got behind early and headed into half time down 13 points. However, in the second half UPRM rallied back and applied pressure onto the Spartans. However, late errors in the second half by the Tarzans caused the Spartans to secure their first victory, 68-67. Junior Duke Shelton led all Spartans with 16 points and a career-high 16 rebounds, recording his first double-double of the season. Four Spartans scored double figures in the competition making this the third consecutive game in double digits for sophomore Pat Bacon.

Last Time Out (Women's): The Spartans claimed their first win of the season against Texas A&M Kingsville in a decisive 67-50 victory. In the first quarter the Javelinas made it hard on the Spartans with their fast-paced offense and gritty defense. It was in the second quarter that the Spartans found their rhythm. They forced the Javelinas into a scoreless streak of seven minutes. Although the Javelinas did not give up, they could not keep up with the Spartans offense. UT was 48.8% from the field with 34 rebounds, and 22 bench points while TAMU was only 31.7%, 33, and 14, respectively. Morgan Lumb was the leading scorer of the game with 17 points and seven rebounds.

About the Spartans (Men's): UT is led offensively by Sophomore Bacon, tallying 13 points per game. He is followed by Shelton and Marcel Robinson with 11 and 10 respectively. Shelton sits in third place in the SSC for rebounds with 9.7 per game and in second place for blocked shots with 2.7 per game. As a team, the Spartans are second in conference for rebounds with 126 on the season while their opponent, NSU, has tallied 65.

About the Spartans (Women's): The Spartans are led offensively by Junior Faith Sanders who is recording 14 points per game. She is closely followed by Senior Elena deAlfredo and Lumb with 13.5 and 11, respectively. As a team, the Spartans are averaging 62.5 points per game and have a 45.7 field goal percentage.

About the Sharks (Men's): Harrison Goodrick and BJ Edwards lead the Sharks offensively with 26 and 24 points, respectively. The Sharks sit in second place in the SSC for field goal percentage at 52.3% and first place for three-point field goal percentage with 40.7%.

About the Sharks (Women's): Samantha Logan and Christen Prasse are the leading point scorers for the Sharks with 39 and 37, respectively. Logan also leads the SSC in rebounds with 31 and averaging 10.3 per game while Prasse leads the conference in assists with 17 and 5.7 per game. The Sharks sit in second place in the SSC for free throw percentage and steals with 75.6% and 11.7 per game, respectively.

Series History (Men's): Tampa owns a slight series advantage over Nova Southeastern with a 17-16 record.

Series History (Women's): The Spartans lead the all-time series record over the Sharks with a 25-12 record. 

Tickets: Tickets for are $5 for adults, senior citizens and coaches. Children under 12 will be admitted free. UT students, faculty and staff will be admitted free with a valid student ID.

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