Spartans Overpower Sharks 98-78

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team clinched their first conference victory as they took down Nova Southeastern University 98-78.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa Spartans 98, Nova Southeastern 78
Records: Tampa (2-2, 1-0 SSC), Nova Southeastern (2-2, 1-2 SSC)
Location: Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Spartans lead the all-time series 18-16 against the Sharks.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Tampa shot 52.6 percent from the field to take a 52-39 lead to the break. The Spartans also connected on 11 3-pointers, shooting at a 47.8 percent clip from beyond the arc. Junior Marcel Robinson led all Spartans with 15 points and contributed four rebounds. Senior Austin Rettig tallied 13 points and went 5-9 from the field. Anthony Gamble and Grant Bryant came off the bench to score 6 and 4 points respectively. Tampa led by as many as 20 points in the opening half.

2nd Half | A foul on Robinson opened up second half play. The junior made one of two free throws making the Spartans score 53. However, back-to-back layups by the Sharks cut the Spartans lead to 10 points, making the score 53-43 with 18 minutes left to play. Junior Robinson responded with a three point jump shot and a layup to increase the Spartan lead to 15. The Spartans momentum was never stifled as they led by as many as 23 with 8:04 left on the clock. The Sharks cut in to the Spartans lead with a three point shot followed by a layup. But a late three point jumper from Freshman Alberto Moreno would put the Spartans back up by 21. 

INSIDE THE STATS:
• Robinson led all Spartans with a career high 26 points, six rebounds, and went 8-17 from the field. 

• Bryant was the next leading point scorer with 18 followed by Rettig who contributed 17.

• Tampa shot 53.7 percent from the field, as the Sharks came in at 46.6 percent. 

• Both the Sharks and the Spartans had 35 rebounds. The Spartans committed six steals while their opponent only had four. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
• The Spartans tallied 15 three pointers which is just three shy of the school record for made three pointers in a game. 

• A total of four Spartans scored in double figures.

• 98 points is the highest score for the Spartans in a victory going back two seasons.

UP NEXT:
Tampa hosts Young Harris on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Live stats will be available through TampaStats.com, and video will be streamed through TampaSpartans.tv.

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