Spartans Defeated by No. 12 Barry

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: No. 12 Barry 83, Tampa 71

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (4-4, 0-2 SSC), No. 12 Barry Buccaneers (6-1, 1-1 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Spartans lead 44-28; Tampa has lost the last two games at home.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | The Spartans held a brief lead three point lead to begin the game, however the Buccaneers halted the momentum with a 9-2 scoring stretch. No. 12 Barry's Daniel Mortensen dominated the first half, going 5-6 from three-point range, totaling 18 points in the half. Anthony Gamble played every minute of the first half and led the way for UT with seven points in 20 minutes. Barry scored seven points off turnovers, while Tampa only forced two turnovers and did not score off the takeaways. Heading into halftime, the 12th-ranked Buccaneers led 39-27.

2nd Half | Alberto Moreno provided a bright spot for the Spartans offense, posting 11 points in the first nine minutes of the half. The Spartans grabbed the momentum mid-way through the second half, as Marco Downer hammered home a dunk and was fouled during the process for the "and-one" opportunity. However, the Buccaneers weathered the storm and went on a 10-0 run following Downer's dunk. Cedric Belemene fouled out of the game with 6:13 remaining in the ballgame. On the evening, No. 12 Barry shot 50.8% from the field, cashing in nine three-pointers. Moreno led the team in points scored for the second consecutive game, recording 16 points on 50% shooting. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tampa's bench out-scored the Buccaneers bench, 23-16.
• Freddy Ibrahim scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Spartans, coming off the bench for UT. 
• Downer, a freshman from Jamaica, had a career-night logging 18 minutes, along with seven points and two blocks. 

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Head coach Richard Schmidt sits one victory away from 700 career wins. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will host their first conference game of the year on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. against Barry University. 

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