Shark Attack in Bay Area During Gasparilla Weekend

The University of Tampa men's basketball team falls to the Nova Southeastern Sharks in a Gasparilla showdown.

Shark Attack in Bay Area During Gasparilla Weekend

Team Stats

January 27, 2018

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Nova Southeastern Sharks 87, Tampa Spartans 77 
Records: Tampa (7-12, 3-10 SSC), Nova (13-6, 7-6 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series record over the Sharks 19-18. 
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | The competition started with a layup from the Sharks. Marcel Robinson was quick to answer with a dunk that gave the Spartans some initial momentum. At the first media timeout, Nova came out on top 13-10. The Sharks continued to feed on the Spartans leading 24-10, until Duke Shelton got another dunk for Tampa, leading to an offensive spark. Robinson then drained the team's first three-pointer, narrowing Nova's lead. However, despite Tampa's best efforts, heading into halftime, the Sharks led the Spartans 50-36. Robinson led all Spartans in the first half with 12 points. 

2nd Half | The Spartans came out of the locker room with fresh legs. Junior Pat Bacon sank a three for the Spartans putting them on the board.  At the first media timeout of the half, Nova continued to hold the lead 58-42. With 7:30 left in the game, Anthony Gamble drained back-to-back three-pointers giving Tampa some much needed energy. Tampa continued to battle on the court but Nova proved to be the dominant team. Ultimately the Spartans turned the ball over too many times. UT ended the game with 20 turnovers to NSU's 10. The Sharks defeated the Spartans with a final score of 87-77.  

INSIDE THE STATS:

  • Bacon led the Spartans in scoring with 23 points.
  • Shelton led the defense with 10 rebounds, in addition to the 10 points he contributed on offense.
  • Gamble led the Spartans from behind the arc, with four three-pointers in the game.

BEYOND THE BOX:

  • Bacon turned in his fourth straight 20-plus point performance and eleventh of his junior campaign.

UP NEXT:
 Tampa will host the Saint Leo University Lions Wednesday, January 31st at 7:30 p.m. following the women's matchup at 5:30 p.m.