Ibrahim, Gamble Lead Spartans to Third Straight Victory

WINTER PARK, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team out-lasted Rollins College on Wednesday evening, as the Tars battled back in the final minutes but the Spartans were guided by Freddy Ibrahim and Anthony Gamble's career-nights. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Tampa 95, Rollins 88
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (12-12, 6-10 SSC), Rollins College Tars (9-15, 3-13 SSC)
Location: Warden Arena || Winter Park, Fla.
All-Time Series: Tampa leads 67-36; The Spartans have won three straight games against the Tars.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | The Spartans trailed 12-5 to begin the game, but Gamble started an 18-2 scoring stretch with a three-pointer to end the Tars' hot start. Gamble, a senior from Riverview, Fla., tallied 19 points in the first half on 7-of-11 from the field. Ibrahim logged 14 points, five assists and three rebounds in 18 minutes of play. Alberto Moreno chipped in with nine points and five assists in the first half. UT shot 55% from the field in the half, while converting on 12-of-22 from long-range. Rollins' Eric Castaneda drained 4-of-5 from deep and totaled 14 points in the half to lead the Tars. Tampa's defense held Rollins to 5-of-17 (29%) from three-point range. 

2nd Half | Gamble led the Spartans offense with 19 points in the second half, converting on free-throws down the stretch to seal the game. The senior went 5-of-9 from three-point range, while the team shot 14-of-18 from the charity stripe. Marco Downer grabbed five rebounds and netted seven points. Ibrahim and Colley logged three assists apiece in the second half. Ibrahim tallied nine points, converting 4-of-6 from the free-throw line. Tampa committed 10 turnovers in the second half which aided the Rollins comeback. The Tars went on a 15-2 run with eight minutes remaining, which cut the UT lead to 79-78. The Spartans pulled away in the final minute as they converted on 8-of-10 free-throws in the final 42 seconds.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Gamble totaled 38 points on the evening, a career-high.
• Ibrahim logged a career-high 23 points on 6-of-9 from the field, draining 4-of-6 from long-range. 

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Gamble tied the UT record for most three-pointers made (10) in a game, which he previously tied on Dec. 10, 2016.
• The Spartans have won three straight games as they fight for conference tournament berth.

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will take the weekend to rest and conference play resumes on Weds., Feb. 20 at Saint Leo, as tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

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