Spartans Prevail against Rollins in SSC Matchup
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team battled through an all-out war Wednesday night against Rollins. The Spartans increase their winning streak to seven.
Final Score: University of Tampa Spartans 86, Rollins College Tars 77
Records: Tampa (10-3) SSC: (6-2), Rollins (7-9) SSC: (2-6)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Florida
All-Time Series: The Spartans are currently 67-38 against Rollins all-time. With the victory, the Spartans snapped a two-game losing streak against Rollins. The last time these teams faced off was February 1, 2020.
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half: Both teams came out really competitive with the pace elevating as the minutes went by. During the first five minutes, three-point bombs were flying. Tampa went 3-6 from while Rollins went 3-5 from three. Tampa was more defensively present, outrebounding Rollins 26-17 to cause more fastbreak opportunities. Rollins got into foul trouble early on and eventually led in fouls 6-4. This allowed the Spartans to have two more free throw opportunities than Rollins. At 18:46, Martin Lakovic spin moves past his defender and lays the ball in. Mykah Brown hits a three-pointer to increase the lead to five (13-8). Max Jones was 2-for-4 from long-range in under 10 minutes played. Jones would finish the half with a solid 10 points and five rebounds. Derrick Felder was 3-for-4 from 3-point range in the first half. The Spartans went on a 9-0 run since the nine-minute mark, leaving Rollins in a scoring drought for four minutes. Lakovic goes up for the layup and is fouled. Shoots a free throw to expand the lead to 9 (34-25) with 5:45 remaining. Lakovic led the Spartans in scoring and would finish the half with 14 points and 7 rebounds. Rollins' Gumm goes up for the layup and is rejected by Lakovic. The Spartans went on a scoring drought. During this time, Rollins went on a 7-0 over the last 3 minutes with a fadeaway jumper from Potter to shorten the lead to two. || Score: 38-34 (Tampa)
Second Half: Spartans came into the half leading by four but the lead was instantly cut to 1 by Rollins' Potter's three-pointer off the first possession. 5-0 run to take the lead 39-38. Felder immediately responds with a "stop and pop" jumper to regain the lead (40-39) with 18 minutes remaining. Rollins Potter shoots two quick three-pointers within four minutes. There were three lead changes in four minutes. Rollins took a three-point lead after Long's deep three-pointer (49-46). Later there would be another lead change along with two tied scores. 14:53 to go, Max Jones misses the layup, grabs his own rebound, and lays it in. After the timeout, Jones' catch-and-shoot three is good (51-49). Jones' 9 points in five minutes off 4-7 shooting. Off the fast break, De'Andre Harvey euro-steps then dishes off to the cutting Jones for the finish— 57-51 timeout Rollins (12:38). 11' Rollins Long hits a three-pointer to cut the deficit to one (57-56). Felder responds with a two-pointer. But then, Rollins' Grishaev, shoots a three-pointer to tie the game at 59– 10:38 remaining. A close game, with both teams neck and neck. (9:38) Lakovic appeared to be limping and was subbed out of the game for further assessment. At the 9:38' minute mark, Lakovic appeared to be limping and was subbed out of the game for further assessment. With 8:15 remaining, Jones knocks down a three-pointer to increase the lead to three (64-61). At this point, Jones had 16 points off 7-11 shooting. Suddenly, Rollins is on a roll going on a 8-2 run to take the lead, 71-70 (4:44). The Spartans bounced back with back-to-back threes by Lakovic and Felder to put them ahead 78-73 with 1:55 remaining. Clutch free throws by Harvey to put the Spartans ahead 82-77 (00:56). Rollins tried to respond with Potter attempting a deep three but could not make it. Jones grabs the rebound and is quickly fouled. At the line, he makes both free throws to get 30 points on the night (84-77). Jones had an impressive 20 points in the half off 8-14 shooting. Felder is then fouled after another Potter three-point attempt. Felder, with an impressive 20 (pts) 8 (rbs) and 8 (ast), knocked down two more free throws to seal the fate. || Final: 86-77 (Tampa)
INSIDE THE STATS
- Jones 30 points, 10 rebounds; 50% from the field
- Lakovic 23 points,11 rebounds; 9-11 shooting
- 12 lead changes; six times tied
- Spartans led in points in the paint: 34-26
BEYOND THE BOX
- Jones; second 30-point game of the season
- Spartans end a two-game losing streak against Rollins
- Jones, Felder and Lakovic combined for 73 of Spartans 86 points.
UP NEXT: Tampa will face nationally-ranked Barry University on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., in Miami Shores, Fla. The Buccaneers are second in the SSC standings and currently ranked No. 18 in the nation.
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