Tampa Tops Defending SSC Champions To Remain Undefeated

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (12-0, 2-0 SSC) men's basketball team won its 12th consecutive game to start the season for the first time since the 1991-92 (14-0) campaign with an 86-80 victory over defending Sunshine State Conference champions Rollins College (9-4, 1-1 SSC) on Sunday at the Bob Martinez Sports Center.

The Spartans pulled away with a second-half featuring blazing numbers from beyond the arc for Tampa. In that half, head coach Richard Schmidt's squad was 7-for-14 from beyond the arc while putting the game out of reach with a 6-for-8 start from 3-point range.

After an evenly played first half, the Spartans carried a 34-32 advantage to the break as each team led twice in the first half, which also featured three ties.

UT started the second half on an 11-4 run over the first 4:03, taking a 47-36 lead over the Tars. Callum Townsend then gave Tampa a 61-48 lead as he connected on the team's sixth 3-pointer in an eight-minute span.

Tampa extended its lead to a 15-point margin on a Fred Woods dunk to make it 73-58 with 4:38 showing on the clock. The Spartans held onto its double figure lead until inside one-minute remaining and was capitalized on 5-of-6 free throws in the final 30 seconds of the contest.

Callum Townsend led all scorers with 21 points, including 12 in the second half. The sophomore was 7-for-11 from 3-point range.

Rashad Callaway added 19 points, 14 of which came in the final half. The SSC Player of the Year candidate also led UT with five assists while sinking 8-of-10 free throws.

Ashton Graham added 13 points as Fred Woods contributed 12 off the bench. Wood also led the Spartans with nine rebounds, three blocks and two steals while Graham contributed eight rebounds.

Tampa finished the game with a 44.8 percent mark from 3-point range, connecting on 13-of-29 attempts. UT also shot 52 percent from the field and outrebounded the Tars 37-25.

The Spartans look to remain undefeated on the season and in SSC play as it travels to St. Petersburg on Wednesday for a matchup with Eckerd College. The 7:30 p.m. game will pit the Spartans with the Tritons, who are 10-1 on the season and 1-0 in the SSC.

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