Tampa Registers Double Overtime Upset Of #2 Valdosta State

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (5-2) men's basketball team held on for a 78-74 win over No. 2 Valdosta State University (8-2) in a double overtime thriller. The victory marks UT's first over a national top-five opponent since the 2007-08 season when it topped No. 4 Rollins by a 70-66 score.

The Spartans received a lift from its defense in the first half as it only allowed seven VSU field goals. UT also outrebounded the Blazers by a 26-14 mark in the opening half as Tampa took a 35-25 advantage to intermission.

Valdosta State came out strong in the second half, going on a 13-0 run to begin the half as it regained the lead. UT kept its composure as the remainder of the period saw a total of seven leads changes and six ties as neither team led by more than five points.

Each team had an opportunity at the end of regulation as UT's Glyn Hunter forced a Valdosta State turnover before a game-winning Rashad Callaway 3-pointer at the buzzer when off the rim, sending the 65-65 game to an extra frame.

The first overtime was also dominated by the defenses of both teams as VSU connected on the lone two field goals of the five-minute period. Though UT was 0-4 from the field, the Spartans were 5-6 from the free-throw line and had no turnovers in the first overtime. The Blazers had the final possession as a jumper by Ryan Nelson did not fall, forcing a second overtime at 70-70.

In the second overtime, Tampa trailed briefly before Callaway hit a pair of free-throws to give his team a 73-72 lead with 3:04 on the clock. After UT's Glyn Hunter made the front-end of two free throws, VSU knotted the score at 74-74 on a pair of Ricardo Lewis free throws.

The Spartans claimed the lead for good when Callaway netted both free throws with 1:06 to go, putting Tampa up 76-74. VSU's Tristan Crawford then drew a foul and missed the first shot, followed by a designed miss on the second shot. The Spartans grabbed the rebound with three second to play and Mounir Benzegala was quickly fouled. The senior guard proceeded to sink both free throws to give UT the 78-74 victory.

Callaway finished with a team-high 28 points to lead the Spartans as the majority of his damage was done from the line. The junior from Bayonne, N.J., was 13-14 from the stripe and also grabbed eight rebounds with eight assists, both team highs.

One game after scoring 20 points against Benedict, sophomore forward Marcus Morrison turned in an 18 point effort on 9-10 shooting from the field. He also led UT with three blocked shots.

Benzegala finished with 11 points and was 5-6 from the free-throw line. Hunter and Jerrel Harris also grabbed eight rebounds apiece as Hunter also led all Spartans with two steals.

UT returns to action on Mon., Dec. 21, when it hosts Concordia (N.Y.) College in the Tampa Classic at 7:30 p.m. Eckerd College and Delta State University will play the first game of the day at 5:30 p.m. at the Martinez Center.

UT will offer live stats along with a webcast through www.tampaspartans.com, accessible by clicking on the Multimedia link. Fans may follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers eScores, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events.