Spartans Set to Face Off Against Fighting Knights
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's and women's basketball programs look to return home to compete against Lynn University after a two-game road series.
WOMEN'S:
The Matchup: University of Tampa Spartans (11-3, 8-0 SSC) vs. Lynn University Fighting Knights (11-5, 6-2 SSC)
Date/Time: Saturday, January 18th, at 2:00 pm.
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla. | 400 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Series History: The Spartans are ahead in the series, 41-11; Tampa lost the last meeting to the Fighting Knights in a close matchup back in March of 2019. The Spartans longest winning streak against Lynn was 14 games that spanned from 1999 and 2005.
Last Time Out: Tampa blew-out Florida Tech in a 20-point game win. Both Melijah Sullivan and Dori Nagy scored 20 points each. Nagy also tied her career-high in rebounds with a total of 16 to complete her sixth double-double of the season. Sullivan shot 64 percent from the field shooting 9-14. As a team, the Spartans shot 59 percent from the field and out-rebounded Florida Tech 34-22.
About the Spartans (Women): UT currently is undefeated in the Sunshine State Conference and is on a nine-game winning streak. Tampa leads the nation in personal fouls per game with only 11.3. The Spartans also rank third in field-goal percentage in the NCAA shooting 49.8 percent. Individually, Nagy ranks eighth for defensive rebounds per game in the NCAA with 8.1. The leading scorer is Lashayla Wright-Ponder with 15.9 points per game. Three Spartans are averaging double-digits figures this season, Wright-Ponder (15.9), Nagy (15.7), and Sullivan (12.9).
About the Fighting Knights (Women): Lynn is third in the Sunshine State Conference ranking, right behind Eckerd College. The Fighting Knights score about 70 points per games with a field-goal percentage of 43.6. They are currently on a three-game winning streak, with the last win coming against Rollins. Lynn also has three players scoring in double-digit figures with their leading scorer being Uloma Enyogasi averaging 14.2 points per game. Senior Sarah Baer is averaging a double-double with 12.7 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game.
MEN'S:
The Matchup: University of Tampa Spartans (4-12, 1-7 SSC) vs. Lynn University Fighting Knights (7-7, 3-5 SSC)
Date/Time: Saturday, January 18th at 4:00 pm.
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla. | 400 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Series History: Tampa trails the series 20-27, and the Spartans are looking to break the three-game losing streak. On December 2nd, 2017, Tampa defeated Lynn, 72-65. Pat Bacon led the team in scoring with 25 points along with seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Last Time Out: Tampa traveled to Florida Tech on Wednesday night and lost big 54-87. Most of the Spartans trouble came in being out rebounded and their poor shooting percentage of 34.4. The leading scorer was Pat Bacon with 16 points and five rebounds. Right behind him was Martin Lakovic with 13 points and four rebounds.
About the Spartans (Men): Tampa will look to break their losing streak as they return home and face-off against another team that is low in the Sunshine State ranking. Despite all the injuries that have put a hold on the Spartans, they are still shooting a decent 43 percent from the field. Pat Bacon is the teams leading scorer averaging 22 points per game. Derrick Felder is also scoring in the double-figures range averaging 12 points per game. Felder is also a defensive beast as he ranks number 12 in the NCAA with 2.3 steals per game.
About the Fighting Knights (Men): The Fighting Knights are also on a current losing streak with their last lost coming against Rollins College. They have four players scoring in double-digit figures, Branden Ellis (10.7), Christian Peevy (19.0), Brandon Bornelus (11.0), and Jordan Allen (18.2). Guard Bornelus is also averaging 3.4 assists per game and 1.3 steals per game.
Tickets: General admission ticket prices for all Tampa regular season athletic events are $5. Youth (ages 12 and under) are admitted free of charge. UT students and faculty/staff are admitted free with a valid Spartan ID.
Watch Live: Fans may watch the game through TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are available through TampaStats.com.
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