Tampa Stumbles to No. 11 Barry

Final: Tampa 103, Barry 107 
Records: Spartans (4-5, SSC 1-4), Buccaneers (3-4, SSC 2-3)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series with the Buccaneers 43-27.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Tampa was on the board first with a three-point jumper by junior Freddy Ibrahim. Then, senior Duke Shelton followed with a layup. The Spartans and Buccaneers traded leads throughout the half. Shelton had a momentous dunk in the last minute giving UT an eight-point lead. Senior Marcel Robinson played a key role offensively notching 11 points. Shelton led defensively recording eight rebounds. Heading into the locker room, Tampa leads Barry 37-31.  

2nd Half | The Buccaneers started the half with a layup, but the Spartans immediately bounced back with a 10-point run putting UT up 47-33. In the tenth minute, Shelton lit a fuse in Tampa with his second dunk of the game. With six minutes remaining, Barry was able to come back making it a four-point game. Sophomore Mekhi Biffle then followed with five points of his own to give the Spartans a seven-point lead. In the last minute, Barry made it a three-point game and then tied it up 90-90 off a three-point jumper sending the game into overtime.

First Overtime | Tampa started the first overtime with a layup by Robinson, but Barry retaliated with a shot beyond the arc making the score 93-92. With ten seconds remaining, Freddy Ibrahim tied it up 97-97 with a layup, which sent the game into its second overtime.

Second Overtime | The Spartans scored first in the second overtime with Ibrahim sinking two free throws. The teams went back and forth until the last two minutes when Barry went on a five-point run. In the end, Tampa was unable to bounce back with Barry winning by a score of 107-103.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Biffle was the leading point scorer with 26 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
• Robinson was the second highest point scorer with 24 points, eight rebounds, and three steals.
• Shelton led the Spartans defensively as he registered 12 rebounds.
• As a team, Tampa shot 72 percent from the free throw line.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Biffle recorded a career high in single points per game with 26.
• Shelton recorded his seventh double-double of the season with 16 points and 12 rebounds.
• This is the second time in school history where both teams scored over 100 points. The last was on January 31, 1970, when Tampa lost to South Alabama 102-100.

UP NEXT:
Tampa returns to action next Sunday, December 17, as they travel to Honolulu, Hawaii to compete in the Hawaii Christmas tournament. Live stats and video will be available through TampaSpartans.com.

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