Spartans Spoiled by Saint Leo

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team could not contain the second-half push from Saint Leo, and ultimately dropped the conference matchup.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Saint Leo 72, Tampa 66
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (9-7, 3-5 SSC), Saint Leo University Lions (7-9, 4-4 SSC) 
Location: Rob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.
All-Time Series: Tampa has lost the last four games against Saint Leo, however, the Spartans lead the series 59-21. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | The Spartans started fast, leading 11-4, as Anthony Gamble and Alberto Moreno registered four points each in the first four minutes. Tampa built their lead to double-digits about mid-way through the first half, as Freddy Ibrahim drained back-to-back three-pointers. Ibrahim grabbed five rebounds while Gamble logged a team-high 13 points in the first half. Moreno chipped in eight points and three assists. Saint Leo's Kyran McClure, the team's leading scorer, logged eight points in the first half.

2nd Half | Gamble tallied nine points in the second half, while Cedric Belemene secured a team-high five rebounds. The Spartans shot 77.8% from the free-throw line, improving on their season average which was 67.2% entering the game. Saint Leo's McClure converted on 9-of-10 attempts at the free-throw line, as the junior transfer totaled 15 points in the second half, logging 23 points in the game.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Gamble, the team's leading scorer, led the way with 22 points.
• Belemene has grabbed at least eight rebounds in the last seven games. 

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Gamble has scored at least 22 points in five of the last six games.
• After a four-game winning streak, the Spartans have dropped three of the last four games. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will host Lynn University on Saturday afternoon, tip-off is scheduled for approximately 4 p.m., following the women's game. 

Tickets: General admission ticket prices for all Tampa regular season athletic events are $5. Youth (ages 12 and under) are admitted free of charge. UT students and faculty/staff are admitted free with a valid Spartan ID.

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