Spartans Get Back Into Winning Column With Overtime Victory

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team avenged an earlier season loss to the University of West Florida with a 62-57 overtime victory over the Argonauts at the Martinez Center. The victory snaps a two-game losing skid for Tampa, who moves to 6-3 on the season. UWF is now 5-3 on the year.

Despite having starting point guard Rashad Callaway for just four minutes in the first half due to foul trouble, the Spartans were able to carry a 26-22 lead to the half. UT held off a UWF rally to end the half as the Argonauts outscored Tampa 7-0 over the final three minutes to cut an 11-point lead to four.

Tampa built a double figure lead in the second half, leading by as many as 12 points. With a 45-33 lead and 10:03 remaining in the game, the Spartan lead was cut to nine following a Ryan Henry three-pointer. UT then received a bad break when leading scorer Fred Woods picked up his fourth foul with 7:40 to play.

With Woods on the bench, West Florida battled all the way back to take a 46-45 lead at the 2:58 mark as the Argonauts scored 13 unanswered. A pair of Woods free throws and a three-pointer by Matt Tomaszewski then gave UT a 50-46 lead with 1:58 remaining.

After the teams traded off baskets, West Florida knotted the score at 52-52 after a Jonathan Moore layup and a pair of free throws by Deondre Boynton. With the final possession, Tampa missed a shot at the buzzer that would have been the game-winner.

In overtime, Tampa took its first lead of the period with a 55-54 advantage at the 2:22 mark. The Spartans would never trail again as it scored the final five points of the game to claim the win.

Woods finished with a game high 19 points and 11 rebounds while connecting on 5-7 field goals and 9-10 free throws. Johnathan Ball added 13 points while Rashad Callaway finished with 10. Callaway also held team honors with three assists and four steals for the Spartans.

Tampa returns to action Sat., Jan. 3, when it hosts Nova Southeastern in its Sunshine State Conference opener. Game time is 4 p.m., at the Martinez Center. UT will offer live stats and a webcast through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also sign up for eScores through the website, a free service that sends text messages on Spartan athletic events.