Stellar Shooting Leads Tampa Past Palm Beach Atlantic

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team got out to an early lead against Sunshine State Conference opponent Palm Beach Atlantic University, and piled it on late to register a 24-point victory over the visiting Sailfish.

Final: University of Tampa Spartans 91 (7-3, 3-2 SSC), Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish (5-9, 3-3 SSC)

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

All-Time Series: The SSC opponents met for the 35th time as UT extended its all-time lead to 25-10.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half: PBA scored the game's first basket at the 18:35 mark, though the lead would be short-lived. Tampa regained a slim lead for the next six minutes, until the Sailfish grabbed a 10-9 edge with 11:53 to play in the half. Tampa would grab the lead a minute later on a 3-pointer from Bryan Williams. With neither team leading by more than three points, the Spartans turned a 15-15 tie at 9:06 to a 9-point advantage at 26-17 with 4:43 to go before break. PBA would respond with a pair of baskets to cut the margin to 26-21, and rally to a 31-31 deadlock with 24-seconds until the half. Freshman Max Jones would connect on a 3-pointer before the break to give the home team a three-point lead at halftime. Williams would register a new career-high in the first half alone as he came off the bench to score 17 points in 13 minutes of action. || Score: 34-31 Tampa

Second Half: UT led for the entire half, though its lead was by 5-or-less-points for the first five minutes. The Spartans took their first double-digit lead on a Williams layup at 12:16 to make it 51-41. PBA would continue to stay within striking range, trailing 59-53 with 8:22 to play. An 11-0 Spartan run would ensue, putting UT in the driver's seat at 70-53 in just over two m minutes of play. Mykah Jones would finish out the game with eight points on a pair of 3-pointers to continue the domination. Overall, the Spartans would shoot 55.9 percent from the floor in the half, including 9-of-14 from beyond the arc for a 64.3 percent clip. Brown scored a team-high 19 points in the half as Williams continued his excellent performance with 12 second-half points. || Final: 91-67 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS

• Williams would finish the game with a career-high 29 points. He connected on 11-of-12 field goals, including 5-of-5 from 3-point range.
• Brown added 21 points, including four 3-pointers. His four steals were also a team best.
• Leading scorer Jones tallied 14 points, while making 7-of-7 free throws. He also led all Spartans with six assists.
• Jonathan Bryant II was the fourth Spartan in double figures with 10 points as his team-high 11 rebounds gave him a double-double.
• Brent Duncan added nine points and two blocked shots in 20 minutes of action off the bench.
• UT made 13-of-24 3-pointers on the day, shooting 54.2 percent from long range.
• The Spartans won the battle of the boards, 47-30.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Tampa has now won three straight games.
• Following a forfeit victory over Eckerd and Sunday's victory, UT is 3-2 in the SSC standings.

UP NEXT: Tampa is on the road for a pair of games, beginning with a Wednesday night matchup at Saint Leo at 7:30 p.m.

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