#13 Tampa Stunned by Barry
MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The 13th-ranked University of Tampa men's basketball suffered its second straight loss as it fell to Barry University by a 60-55 score. The Spartans are now 16-6 on the year and 9-4 in the Sunshine State Conference while Barry improves to 7-18 and 1-12 in league play.
UT got out to a 7-1 lead to begin the game, though Barry settled down to make the first half a back-and-forth battle. After trailing by as many as seven points, the Buccaneers took their first lead at 18-16 with 7:49 remaining in the half.
Barry held the lead for the remainder of the half as it broke a 25-25 tie with a buzzer beating three pointer by Gabe Lazo as time expired.
The Buccaneers extended their advantage to begin the second half, taking its largest lead of the game with a 32-25 advantage with 18:59 to play. UT went on a 12-4 run to take the lead, seizing momentum. The Spartans proceeded to lead 52-46 on a basket and free throw by Chris King at 5:31.
With UT leading 52-46, the Bucs scored the next seven points to take final control of the game. Barry held on, scoring a late layup off a UT turnover to take a three point lead with under a minute left.
Jeremy Black led Tampa with 22 points while Rashad Callaway and Chris King were also in double figures with 11 and 10 respectively. Black and Chris Evans led the Spartans with seven rebounds while Johnathan Ball had three steals.
Tampa now returns home, where it will host Eckerd College on Wednesday. Game time is 7:30 p.m., at the Martinez Center.