Robinson, Spartans Defeat Tars and Send Them Sailing

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team took on the Rollins College Tars and defeated them with a score of 81-73. Junior Marcel Robinson demolished his career high record and reset it tonight tallying 33 points. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 81, Rollins College 73
Records: Tampa (11-3, 4-1 SSC), Rollins (7-7, 1-4 SSC)
Location: Alfond Sports Center | Winter Park, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series with Rollins College with a record of 75-43.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Senior Austin Rettig was the first player to score on a deep three point jumper to put the Spartans on the scoreboard first. Which was quickly followed by a three pointer by junior Robinson. Rollins retailated with three back-to-back-to-back three pointers of their own, giving the Tars the lead. The Spartans had not scored a basket in four minutes until freshman Mekhi Biffle sunk a deep three point shot that brought the Spartans within two points of the Tars. The game was then tied on a layup by junior Duke Shelton. Freshman Brent Duncan came off the bench to score a layup and an assist to a Robinson dunk. The Spartans and the Tars continued to trade leads until the Spartans offense took off after back-to-back three pointers from Robinson and Biffle. The Spartans took the largest lead of the half with 8:30 left on the clock, they led by as many as 10 points. The Tars began to close in on the Spartans advantage as they cut it to only seven points with six minutes left in the half. The Spartans increased that lead again on an Anthony Gamble three pointer. The Tars rallied and came within one point of the Spartans with 4:30 left on the clock. The Spartans offense continued to score as they kept the Tars scoreless for the last four minutes of the half, ending with a score of 42-31, Spartan advantage. 

2nd Half | The Tars were first to score in this half but the Spartans quickly retailated with a layup by Shelton. Rollins offense came out more consistently in this half as they continued to stay within seven points of the Spartans not letting them go on a run of points. A jumper by Gamble triggered a run by the Spartans that would put them up by as many as 14 with nine minutes left in the game. The Tars were not backing down, they kept the Spartans scoreless for three minutes and closed in on the Spartan lead making the score 64-62 with five minutes left in the game. Both teams continued to go basket-for-basket, however, the Spartans maintained their lead. The Tars attempted to rally back but the Spartans held on for the win 81-73. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Robinson led all Spartans with 33 points, five rebounds, and two steals. 
• Biffle was the second leading point scorer with 14 points, seven rebounds, and two steals.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Junior Robinson set a new career high for points with 33. 
• Freshman Duncan tallied a career high seven points and five rebounds.

UP NEXT:

Tampa returns to action on Saturday, January 7th when they host the Saint Leo Lions at 4:00 p.m. Live stats will be available through TampaStats.com.

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