Eagles Get Revenge on Spartans

Daytona Beach, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team traveled to Daytona Beach to take on the Embry-Riddle Eagles but came up short in the matchup.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 75, Embry-Riddle 82
Records: Tampa (14-8), Embry-Riddle (14-7)
Location: ICI Center | Daytona Beach, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa and Embry-Riddle are now tied for the all time series record at 3-3.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

 
1st Half |  The Eagles hit the boards first on a layup but sophomore Freddy Ibrahim retaliated with a three pointer to give the Spartans their first lead. After the Eagles responded with a three pointer of their own, senior Austin Rettig hit a jumper to put the Spartans back in the lead. After a jumper from freshman Mekhi Biffle and a layup from Ibrahim the Spartans led by two. Junior Duke Shelton got in on the action after tallying his first points on a layup. Biffle followed up with a three pointer that made the score 16-10, Spartan advantage. The Spartans and the Eagles started to trade baskets as the Eagles cut the Spartans lead to one point with seven minutes left in the half. The Eagles took the lead again with six minutes left on the clock. But the Spartans tied the game after a three pointer from sophomore Anthony Gamble. After the Eagles hit a jumper, Gamble struck again with a deep three pointer. 

2nd Half | Ibrahim was the first player to score to open the second half. But the Eagles found their rhythm as they scored six unaswered points. Junior Marcel Robinson ended the Eagles run after a dunk assisted by Ibrahim. Biffle then recorded his first points of the half on a deep three point shot to close in on the Eagle advantage. Robinson hit a three pointer to make the score 46-44 with 12 minutes left in the game. Embry-Riddle continued to score baskets but the Spartans stayed within three points of the Eagles. The Spartans took a one point lead with nine minutes left after back-to-back three pointers from Ibrahim and Rettig. The Spartans and the Eagles were tied, 70-70, with three minutes left on the clock. After an Embry-Riddle layup, the Spartans trailed by two with a minute and thirty seconds left on the clock. The Spartans attempted to close in on the Eagles lead but were unsuccessful. The Eagles went on to win 82-75. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Rettig led all Spartans with 23 points, two steals, and one block.
• Robinson was the second leading point scorer with 17 points. 
• Ibrahim had a team high 10 rebounds and seven assists. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

•  The Spartans and the Eagles have split this seasons series. 

UP NEXT:

Tampa returns to action on Wednesday when they host Eckerd College to meet the Tritons at 7:30 p.m. Live stats will be available through TampaStats.com. Fans can watch through TampaSpartans.com.

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