Spartans Face Defeat to Conclude Season

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa (6-20, 2-14 SSC) men's basketball team dropped its final home game of the season to Florida Tech (21-5, 12-4 SSC) in an 82-74 showing at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center on Saturday evening.

The first half featured nine lead changes with the Spartans gaining the advantage toward the end of the session. The Spartans shot 57.7 percent from the field to edge the Panthers 38-30 at the half. UT also outshot Florida Tech from 3-point range by 20 percent.

Senior Ashton Graham led the Spartans at the half with 10 points, while fellow senior Corey Pelot registered eight points in his first start of the season.

The Panthers surpassed the Spartans in second chance points 11-3 in the first half to keep the contest close. Senior Derek Hellemann led his team with 16 points, while Edgars Eglitis chipped in seven rebounds at the half.

The Spartans were outscored by the Panthers by over 20 percent from the field and almost 40 percent from 3-point range in the second half.

The Panthers took over the game's momentum around the 12-minute mark in the second session, edging the Spartans 20-9 in points off of turnovers as well as second chance points.

Graham recorded 20 points in his final game as a Spartan, while teammates Stefon Barfield and Pelot added 13 and 11 points apiece.

Four Panthers scored in double figures. Senior Anthony Jackson led all scorers with 25 points, while teammates Simon Cummings, and Hellemann contributed 21 and 19 points respectively.

UT concludes its season with a 6-20 overall record and 2-14 SSC record.