Spartans Stop Flagler in Final Seconds to Seal the Win

Tampa, FL. – The University of Tampa Spartans Men's Basketball  

Final: Tampa Spartans 84, Flagler College Saints 81 

Records: Tampa (3-6, 2-1 SSC), Flagler (6-7, 0-2 PBC)

Location: Bob Martinez Center || Tampa, Fl. 

All-Time Series: Tampa extends their all-time series record against Flagler to 3-1. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

FIRST HALF 

After back-and-forth scoring for the first 11 minutes of action, The Spartans broke away with a 10-0 run in just about a minute and a half of play. After leading by as many as 9 in the first half, the Saints came back and tied the game after a slight Tampa scoring drought. With just under 3 minutes to go, the Spartans sparked a 7-0 run in less than a minute that eventually led to Tampa holding a 3-point lead at the break. Tampa's Yarden Willis led the Spartans with 10 points on a perfect 5-5 shooting. | Score: 44-41 Spartans 

SECOND HALF 

After the Spartans fell behind early in the second half, they began to go on a shooting tear. Tampa's Jesse White shot a perfect 6-6 for the field, including 4 from behind the arc, to add 20 points from off the bench. As the game continued to be neck and neck, and despite a critical missed free throw, the Spartans made the big defensive stop at the buzzer to hold on and defeat the Saints. || Score: 84-81 Spartans 

INSIDE THE STATS 

• Four of Tampa's starters scored in double figures: Sophomore Tyson Leitao (15), Sophomore De'Andre Harvey (14), Junior Jacob Harris (11), and Grad. Yarden Willis (10). 
• The Spartans had 9 offensive rebounds. 
• Tyson Leitao finished with a double-double, posting 15 points and 12 rebounds. 

BEYOND THE BOX 

• The Spartans scored 56% of their possessions.  
• Tampa doubled the Saints' time of leading, despite the close game. 
• The Spartans scored 10 points off of Flagler turnovers. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will be off for the holidays before taking on Palm Beach Atlantic at The Bob Martinez Center on Thursday, December 29^th, at 7:30 PM. 

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