Spartans Leave Southern Snake Bitten

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team hosted the Florida Southern Mocs for a midweek matchup and came out victorious as they won 79-78 on a buzzer beater from junior Marcel Robinson. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 79, Florida Southern 78 
Records: Tampa (16-9, 9-6 SSC), Florida Southern (11-14, 8-7 SSC)
Location: Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa trails the all time series 51-85 with the Mocs. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

 
1st Half | The game started with Freddy Ibrahim hitting a three pointer for the Spartans. The Mocs quickly answered with a three of their own to tie the game. Florida Southern jumped out to a quick 11-5 lead just over four minutes into the game. Near the midway point of the half Ibrahim got the Spartans within five points with a three pointer. With just over five minutes left in the half Florida Southern opened up a 40-26 lead. Duke Shelton made a two point basket that got the Spartans within seven with just over two minutes to play in the half. Matt Johnson hit a three pointer right before the buzzer giving the Spartans a 43-42 lead goiing into halftime.   

2nd Half | Austin Rettig got the Spartans on the board first by making 1 of 2 foul shots. Ibrahim had a basket shortly after opening up a four point lead, the largest of the game for the Spartans. Florida Southern opened up a six point lead with just under four minutes into the half with a three point basket. The Mocs gained a nine point lead with a layup after a steal near the seven minute mark of the half. Florida Southern was in complete control for most of the first ten minutes of the half. With eight minutes left to play a basket by Florida Southern put their lead back at nine. With five minutes left to play the Mocs were holding on to a six point lead. The Spartans continued to play catch up and cut the lead to two points with just over two minutes left to play. Rettig hit a clutch three pointer from the corner for the Spartans to cute the lead to only one point with 56 seconds left to play. Robinson hit the game winning three pointer with 0.4 seconds left to solidify the win for the Spartans, 79-78.     

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Shelton was the leading point scorer with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and went 12-12 from the line. 
• Ibrahim was the second leading point scorer with 17 points, seven rebounds, and five assists.
• As a team, the Spartans shot 48 percent from the field. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Shelton tallied his 13th double-double of the season which puts him at No. 7 in the nation for double-doubles. 

UP NEXT:

Tampa returns to action on Saturday when they host Rollins College at 4:00 p.m. Live stats will be available through TampaStats.com. Fans can watch through TampaSpartans.com.

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