Spartans Dominate Limestone

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 80, Limestone 51

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (6-4, 1-2 SSC), Limestone College Saints (6-5, 1-2 CC)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa leads the series 2-0; The first meeting took place in 2014 as UT secured a 20-point victory at home. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | Tampa exchanged baskets to begin the game, but found some breathing room in part to Vincent Biffle's seven points in the opening five minutes. Biffle led the team with 13 points in the first half, as Alberto Moreno logged 11 points in 16 minutes of play. Moreno grabbed a season-high four steals in the opening half. The Spartans owned the glass in the first 20 minutes, as UT out-rebounded Limestone 22-11. Cedric Belemene racked up eight rebounds, along with seven points, in the first half. Tampa shot 59% from the field in the opening period compared to Limestone's 32% from the field. UT found easy baskets in the low-post, as the Spartans registered 24 points in the paint compared to LC's eight. Tampa entered the break with a 20-point lead, 50-30. 

2nd Half | Anthony Gamble led the Spartans as they went on a 14-3 run in the first 10 minutes and extended the lead to 65-37. Gamble scored six points on three layup's, while Belemene tallied five points during the scoring stretch. In the middle of the half, the two teams went on a five minute scoring drought. The two teams combined to shoot 2-for-20 during the scoreless stretch, eight of UT's misses coming from long-range. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Biffle has scored 13+ points in seven games this season.
• Belemene registered 12 points and 14 rebounds for his second double-double of the season.
• Moreno grabbed a season-high four steals, his career-high six steals occured on 1/11/17 at Eckerd College. 

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Tampa four players register double-figure scoring for the second consecutive game. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will host day two of the Holiday Classic on Wednesday evening as tip off is set for 7 p.m. against Shaw University. 

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