Spartans Dethrone Tars

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa Spartans 87 Rollins Tars 82
Records: Tampa (8-13, 4-11 SSC), Rollins (14-9, 10-5 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series record over the Tars 65-36. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Rollins was first on the scoreboard with a shot beyond the arc, but Tampa retaliated with a layup by Senior Duke Shelton. Four minutes into the game, UT called a timeout and shortly after, Shelton scored his 1,000^th career point with a layup.  The Tars led the Spartans for the majority of the first half until the last minute when Shelton put Tampa on top with a layup. Senior Frantz Pinard had a beyond the arc buzzer beater to end the half. Going into the locker room, the Spartans lead the Tars 40-35.

2nd Half | The Tars were first to score, but the Spartans followed by Shelton draining both of his foul shots. After a three-point jumper by Marcel Robinson, Tampa went on a seven-point run. The Spartans kept their momentum going as Anthony Gamble shot three back-to-back three pointers. In the eighth minute, UT held a 13-point lead over the Tars, but Rollins made it a one-point game in the last two minutes. After a shot beyond the arc and a dunk by Robinson, the Spartans were up by six. In the end, Tampa was able to maintain their lead snapping their seven-game losing streak defeating Rollins 87-82. Robinson took control on offense recording 25 points. Pat Bacon also played a key role on offense by dishing out nine assists. Shelton led defensively with 12 rebounds as well as scoring 23 points. 

 INSIDE THE STATS:

• Robinson led offensively scoring 25 points.
• Shelton led the defense with 12 rebounds, in addition to the 23 points he contributed on offense.
• Bacon contributed the most assists with nine.

 BEYOND THE BOX:

• Shelton scored his 1,000^th career point.

UP NEXT:
Tampa will host the Florida Tech Panthers Wednesday, February 7^rd at 7:30 p.m. following the women's matchup at 5:30 p.m.