Spartans Fall in Close Battle to Conclude Season

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team traveled West Palm Beach to take on the Sailfish for the first round of the Sunshine State Conference and lost a close battle 66-63 to conclude their season. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 63, Palm Beach 66
Records: Tampa (17-12, 10-8 SSC), Palm Beach (15-12, 10-8 SSC)
Location: Rubin Arena | West Palm Beach, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all time series 21-3 with the Sailfish. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

 
1st Half | The Sailfish were the first to score to open up play in Rubin Arena. The Spartans first points would be made by Junior Marcel Robinson on a layup. The Sailfish went on a 11-0 run on the Spartans and led 15-2 heading into the first media timeout. The Spartans continued to struggle as the Sailfish put up another 10 unanswered points. It wasn't until there were six minutes left in the half that the Spartan offense was sparked. Robinson started the run on a layup. He was followed by a three point jumper from senior Austin Rettig, which was then followed by another three pointer from Robinson. These points cut the PBA lead to 10 points. The Sailfish then fouled Duke Shelton and sent him to the line, he made both and then put in a layup to bring the Spartans within six points with two minutes left in the half. PBA scored on a dunk to finish the half with a score of 34-26, Sailfish advantage. 

2nd Half | The second half was a different ball game. Rettig was the first to score for the Spatans on a layup. Then, Robinson was fouled and sent to the line for two shots. He made both bringing the Spartans within four points. Rettig put in another layup and Shelton did the same, tying the game 34-34. The Spartans took their first lead since the first half after a layup from sophomore Pat Bacon. After a tipin from freshman Mekhi Biffle the Spartans had their largest lead of the game, 41-36. The Sailfish tied the game again after going on a small run of their own. Brent Duncan scored his first points of the game on a layup that gave the Spartans the lead again. The teams continued to trade points and leads until a minute left in the game, the Sailfish went on a run that put them up by seven and they never looked back. The Sailfish went on to 66-63 and will advance to the next round of the SSC tournament.        

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Rettig was the leading point scorer for the Spartans with 20 points and eight rebounds.
• Robinson and Shelton were the second leading point scorers, both with 14 points. 

UP NEXT:

Tampa finishes its season at 17-12 and 10-8 in the SSC. 

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