Spartans Fall to Sailfish in Overtime

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Palm Beach Sailfish 103, Tampa Spartans 93
Records: Tampa (8-15, 4-13 SSC), Palm Beach (14-14, 8-9 SSC)
Location: Rubin Arena | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series record over the Sailfish 23-6. 
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Seniors Duke Shelton and Marcel Robinson started the game hot as they accounted for all 14 of the Spartans points with 10 minutes left in the first half. The Spartans jumped out to an early lead over the Sailfish until PBA fought to take over the lead with nine minutes left in the first half. The Sailfish went on an 8-0 run over the Spartans, but after an offensive run by the Spartans and a layup from Shelton, Tampa was back within two points of the Sailfish. A layup from Freddy Ibrahim would give the Spartans a slight two point lead over PBA. The Sailfish did not back down as they eventually regained the lead over the Spartans heading into halftime, 39-35. 

2nd Half | PBA came out energized in the second half as they quickly jumped out to a lead that would put them up by 11 points. The Spartans did not give up as they fought back within two points after back to back three pointers from Anthony Gamble and Mekhi Biffle. Both teams battled back and forth exchanging points until the last minute of the second half. The Spartans trailed by two with 19 seconds left on the clock when Biffle tied the game with a layup that would send the teams into overtime. 

OT | The Sailfish opened up overtime with a layup that was quickly followed by a layup from John Whitaker, tying the game once again. An offensive run by the Sailfish would give them a seven point advantage with 30 seconds left in overtime. The Spartans attempted at closing in on the Sailfish lead but were unsuccessful, falling 103-93. 

 INSIDE THE STATS:

• Robinson led the offense scoring 31 points. 
• Biffle led the defense with six rebounds.
• Bacon led the team in assists with six. He was also the second leading point scorer with 18 points. 
• As a team, the Spartans shot 55.9 percent from the field.

UP NEXT:
Tampa will host the Embry-Riddle Eagles on Saturday, February 17th at 4 p.m. following the women's matchup at 2 p.m. Prior to the men's matchup, University of Tampa will honor its seniors as they take the court at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center for the final time.