Shelton, Spartans Edge Golden Bears In Nail-Biter

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team defeated Lane College, 73-72.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 73, Miles 72
Records: Tampa (9-3), Miles (2-9)
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa improves to 4-0 in the all-time series against Miles.  
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Miles began the half on an 8-0 run over 2:14, answered by Tampa with a 6-0 run over 1:49. The two sides went back and forth for much of remainder of the half, but the Golden Bears never relinquished their lead. After Miles built their largest lead of the first half, to 13 points, the Spartans went on a 10-0 run over 4:21 to trim the deficit to three, at 32-29. UT ended the half down four, 35-31. Duke Shelton led the Spartans on offense, contributing 11 points, while Freddy Ibrahim led the defensive effort with a team-high six rebounds, two steals and a block. 

2nd Half | The Golden Bears held onto their lead for much of the second half, but Tampa went on a 18-2 run after the five-minute mark, tying the score at 70 with 1:03 remaining on the clock on Shelton's third dunk of the game. Following Miles' 18th turnover of the game, Matt Johnson put UT up for good with a two-point field goal. Shelton again led Tampa on offense, contributing 16 points and one of the Spartans' four blocked shots. Austin Rettig followed with 14 points and a block. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tampa outscored Miles in the paint (34-22) and off turnovers (30-12). 
• The Spartans outshot Miles from the field, 49 percent to 45 percent, but the Golden Bears held a sizeable advantage from three, outshooting UT 64 percent to 32 percent. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Shelton led the Spartans, tying his career-high with 27 points and setting a new career-best with 10 field goals, including his first career three-point field goal, coming in his 60th career game. 
• Johnson tied his career-high with 11 assists, recording his first double-double of the season. 

UP NEXT:
Tampa returns to action in conference play at Florida Southern on December 30th at 7:30 p.m. Live stats will be available through TampaStats.com.

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