Abandon Ship: Spartans Sink Bucs

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball took on the #6 Barry University Buccaneers and came out victorious with a score of 88-80.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 88, Barry 80
Records: Tampa (13-5, 6-3 SSC), Barry (14-2, 7-2 SSC)
Location: Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series with Barry 42-24.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Barry hit the boards first on a layup but freshman Mekhi Biffle retailated with a three pointer to give the Spartans their first lead. Junior Marcel Robinson followed suit with a three pointer of his own. The Spartans and the Bucs began to trade baskets until Senior Austin Rettig and Biffle sunk back-to-back three pointers. After a layup from Barry, Robinson recorded another three pointer assisted by Senior Matt Johnson. Rettig found his rhythm as he made a momentum carrying dunk immediately followed by a deep three pointer, putting the Spartans up by 15 points. Sophomore Freddy Ibrahim recorded his first points of the game on a three pointer from deep. Barry went on a run of their own, coming in within five points of the Spartans with just under three minutes left in the half. A layup from junior Duke Shelton would put the Spartans back up by 10. The Bucs hit a late three pointer to make the score 50-41, Spartan advantage, heading into halftime. Rettig led all Spartans in the first half with 16 points, followed by Robinson who had 13.    

2nd Half | Shelton was the first player to score in the second half on a layup but Barry quickly responded on a layup of their own. Freshman Alberto Moreno recorded his first points of the game on a layup. The Bucs began chipping away at the Spartans lead after they made a jumper and a three pointer back-to-back. Robinson tallied his first points of the half on a three point shot. Rettig tallied his fourth dunk of the night with just under 15 minutes left in the game. After a three point shot attempt by Rettig, Ibrahim tipped it in to put the Spartans up by 17 points. The Bucs and the Spartans traded baskets, as UT continued to keep Barry at a distance. The Bucs took advantage of their possessions and came within only three points of the Spartans with 53 seconds left in the game. But the Spartans maintained their lead and went on to win 88-80.  

INSIDE THE STATS:

•  Robinson was the leading point scorer with 22 points.
•  Rettig was the second leading point scorer with 21 points.
•  As a team, the Spartans shot 57.7 percent from the field.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Shelton recorded his ninth double-double of the season.
• The Spartans led the Bucs for 38 minutes of the matchup.

UP NEXT:

Tampa returns to action on Saturday, January 21st when they travel to West Palm Beach to take on PBA at 4:00 p.m. Live stats will be available through TampaStats.com.

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