Spartans Defeat Lions in Home Opener

Final: Tampa 90, North Alabama 81
Records: Tampa (1-0), North Alabama (0-1)
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: North Alabama now owns the all-time series record 3-2.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Tampa led North Alabama for the majority of the first half. The Spartans were on the board first with a layup by senior Duke Shelton assisted by Nikola Marijan. UT took the final lead change at the 11-minute mark on a three-point jumper by Pat Bacon. Junior Pat Bacon led the offense with 16 points. Seniors Marcel Robinson and Shelton were the second leading point scorers ending the first half with seven points each. Mekhi Biffle had two assists, which was matched by Alberto Moreno. At the end of the half, Tampa held the lead at 39-37.

2nd Half | The Lions hit the board first with a layup to tie the game. The two teams traded leads for the rest of the half. Robinson put the Spartans back on top with 45 seconds remaining, but North Alabama retaliated sending the game into overtime. Junior Freddy Ibrahim played a key role on offense tallying five assists. Defensively, Shelton took charge amassing six rebounds.

1OT | Tampa scored first with a layup by Ibrahim and stayed on top for most of overtime. The Spartans took a seven-point lead with 38 seconds remaining off an and-one basket by Bacon. Ibrahim confirmed the victory for Tampa with two made free throws ending the game 90-81.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tampa shot 49 percent from the field compared to the Lions 48 percent. 
• Bacon led all Spartans with 27 points.
• Biffle was the second leading point scorer with 15 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.
• Shelton finished with his first double-double of the season with 11 points and 16 rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• In Marijan's first game as a Spartan, he totaled 11 points, seven rebounds, and one assist.

UP NEXT:
Tampa returns to action tomorrow November 12^th when they host Alabama-Huntsville at 2:00 p.m. Live stats will be available through TampaStats.com.

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