Tampa Falls Short to Auburn-Montgomery

SAINT LEO, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team continued to fight in Saint Leo's Crossover Classic but were just three points shy of grabbing the win. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Auburn University at Montgomery 72, University of Tampa Spartans 69

Records: University of Tampa (3-1, 0-0 SSC), Auburn University at Montgomery (2-2, 0-0 GSC)

Location: Marion Brown Activities Center | Saint Leo, Fla.

All-Time Series: This was the first meeting between the two schools.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | Auburn Montgomery guard Tre Hansbrough scored the first basket of the game, hitting a three-pointer from the wing. The Warhawks went on an 8-0 run before Anthony Gamble drained a three-pointer to put the Spartans on the board. Early in the twelfth minute, Auburn went on a nine-point lead off a fast break layup from Stanley Davis who was their leading scorer for the half (12). UT struggled shooting, hitting only 31% of the shots compared to Auburn's 52%. Auburn knocked down six three-pointers, shooting 43% from the three-point line for the half. Both teams had slippery hands committing 19 turnovers at the break. Tampa had 10 and Auburn had nine. Cedric Belemene finished the half with 11 rebounds, six of them being offensive rebounds. Both, Vincent Biffle and Gamble were the leading scorers for UT with 8 points; however, within the last three minutes, the Spartans could not cut the led beyond seven.

2nd Half | The Spartans opened the half going on a 10-0 run. Gamble continued with the hot hand from yesterday's game, knocking downing two quick three-pointers reducing their deficit to two points. Alberto Moreno gained his second basket late in the 16^th minute to tie the game for the first time. Auburn's first basket of the half came from Darrion Taylor to give them the lead once again (43-41). Working hard on both sides, the game was tied seven times. UT went on a 5-0 run within the seventh minute, all from free-throws to give them a six-point lead. With three minutes left, the game was tied at 66 until Warhawks' Davis knocked down a three-pointer. From there, Auburn caught fire and came out on top 72-69. Defensively, four Spartans recorded steals in the last 20 minutes of the game resulting in a total of six, Biffle (2), Belemene (2), Moreno (1) and Gamble (1).

 INSIDE THE STATS:

• Leading scorer, Gamble logged 21 points and grabbed two offensive rebounds.
• Applying the pressure on the defensive side, the Spartans forced 19 turnovers and recorded 12 steals. 
• The Warhawks shot 80% from the free-throw line.
• Moreno was the second leading scorer dropping 16 points.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Belemene had a season-high of 14 rebounds with nine points to go along with them.
• The team recorded a season-high of 16 offensive rebounds. Belemene contributed grabbing seven of them.
• Head coach Richard Schmidt currently needs one more win to reach 700 career victories. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will participate in Eckerd's Thanksgivings Classic facing off against Minnesota State-Mankato on Friday at 5:30 p.m. in St. Petersburg, Fla.

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