Tampa Concludes Season in SSC Quarterfinal Loss

Box score

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The University of Tampa (17-14) men's basketball team was dealt a 68-55 season-ending loss to Saint Leo University (21-6) in the quarterfinals of the 2013 Sunshine State Conference Tournament at the Silver Spurs Arena.

After taking a 27-22 lead to halftime, Saint Leo stretched its advantage to double figures at the mid-way point of the second half. Tampa cut the lead to six points with 2:48 to play, though the Lions responded with a 7-1 run to take a 12-point lead with 51 seconds to play.

The Spartans were hindered by a sub-par team effort at the free throw line as UT made just 5-for-11 from the charity stripe. Saint Leo held a sizable advantage in free throws, attempting 28 and connecting on 21.

Da'Markco Foster led Tampa with 24 points, connecting on seven 3-pointers. The junior member of the SSC all-newcomer team scored 20 second-half points for the Spartans.

Eric Moraes provided a spark off the bench, scoring 10 points. Jon Riles added a team-high five assists and five rebounds while Foster also came away with three steals.

The Spartans conclude a 17-win season, which is 11 wins more than one year ago. UT will look forward to a 2013-14 season as it loses just one player, second-leading scorer Anthony Griffis.

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