Spartans to Welcome Lynn For Saturday Afternoon Basketball Set

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's and women's basketball teams will play host to Lynn University in a pair of Sunshine State Conference contests on Saturday at the Martinez Center. The women will square off at 2 p.m., followed by the 4 p.m., men's game.

Tampa's women enter with a 13-6 overall record and 3-6 in league play as Lynn stands at 14-6 and 7-3 in the SSC.

The Spartans have dropped three straight SSC contests and their previous three at the Martinez Center. Illyssa Vivo leads UT while averaging 12.2 points and 6.2 rebounds, both team highs. Tampa continues to play without its third leading scorer Shamika Williams, who will return from an injury later this season.

Lynn has won three consecutive games with victories over SSC opponents Saint Leo, Florida Southern and Eckerd. Kira Harvey leads the Fighting Knights while averaging 18.8 points per game. She has also registered 63 assists and 49 steals.

Tampa holds a 30-9 advantage in the all-time series with Lynn taking the season's first meeting by a score of 57-52 in Boca Raton. The Spartans have defeated Lynn at home in each of the previous three meetings.

On the men's side, Tampa now stands at 16-6 overall and 3-6 in the SSC as Lynn is 10-10 and 2-8 in the conference.

The Spartans have won three straight games, most recently knocking Rollins from second in the league standings with a 70-66 victory in Winter Park on Wednesday. Da'Markco Foster and Anthony Griffis lead Tampa, averaging 17.3 and 15.9 points per game respectively. On the season, UT has connected on 175 shots from 3-point range.

Since defeating the Spartans, Lynn has been left reeling as the Fighting Knights have now dropped four straight games and six of its last seven with the lone victory coming over a one-win Palm Beach Atlantic squad. Lynn brings a balanced attack, with six players averaging over nine points per game. Shamel Akins leads the squad at 10.2 per game.

Lynn owns a 19-14 edge in the all-time series, winning this season's initial meeting by a score of 76-60. The Fighting Knights swept the series last season and have now won three consecutive meetings versus the Spartans.

Tickets will be available at the gate for $5. UT students and faculty/staff will be admitted for free with a valid student ID.

Live stats and a video webcast for both games will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.

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