#20 Rollins Has Rude Welcome to SSC Play For Tampa

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (2-4, 0-1 SSC) men's basketball team fell by its largest deficit of the season as No. 20 Rollins College (5-0, 1-0 SSC) handed the Spartans a 60-36 setback in the Sunshine State Conference opener for both teams from the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.

The Spartans hung with the Tars throughout the first half, with neither team leading by no more than three points under Rollins' Brett Chance connected on a half-court buzzer-beater to end the half, giving his team a 24-18 advantage to take to the half.

A 21-4 run to open the second-half was all Rollins needed as it continued to built on its early momentum in the half. The Tar lead would not go below 20-points for the final 6:51 as the preseason favorites to win the SSC led by as many as 24 points in the contest.

Ashton Graham and freshman Terrell Pritchett led Tampa with eight points apiece as freshman Fred Lewis added six first-half points off the bench to aid the solid first-half effort.

Pritchett, a guard from Haines City, Fla., was the lone bright spot for the Spartans throughout the contest as he also led the team with three assists and five rebounds. In 29 minutes of play, he made 3-of-5 field goals and also registered a blocked shot.

Though outrebounding Rollins 38-32, Tampa was hindered by a 28.0 field goal percentage as the Tars shot at a 41.7 percent clip. Rollins also forced 24 Spartan turnovers as head coach Richard Schmidt's squad was just 1-for-14 from 3-point range.

The 36 points by Tampa marked the lowest scoring output since Dec. 30, 1983, when Northwestern University handed the Spartans a 49-34 loss.

Tampa will look to avenge the Rollins loss as it travels to Boca Raton, Fla., for a Saturday afternoon matchup with Lynn University. The game is scheduled for 4 p.m. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

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