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Spartans Fail to Tame Lions
January 31, 2018

Spartans Fail to Tame Lions

Saint Leo defeats Tampa 58-53.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Saint Leo Lions 58, Tampa Spartans 53 
Records: Tampa (7-13, 3-11 SSC), St. Leo (11-14, 7-7 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series record over the Lions 59-20. 
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Tampa started off the game with a block by senior Duke Shelton followed by a layup by Pat Bacon. The Lions quickly retaliated keeping the lead for the first five minutes of the game. Shortly after the media timeout, Shelton sparked the offense with a jumper, giving Tampa the lead until the last two minutes. Saint Leo drained a shot beyond the arc putting the Lions ahead 22-21. Bacon gave the Spartans the lead again with a drive, but the Lions pounced back tying the game before time ran out. Bacon was sizzling with points as he led with 10. Shelton came in second with nine points but was the driving force on defense recording eight rebounds. Heading into the locker room, Tampa and Saint Leo held even at 23-23.

2nd Half | The Lions came out of their cage running knocking down the first points of the half. The Spartans answered with a noble dunk from the Duke. Saint Leo held the lead for the first eight minutes, until Freddy Ibrahim sank a three point-jumper tying the game 38-38. Marcel Robinson robbed the Lions of their lead again after netting another three-point jumper making the score 41-41. UT could not maintain their momentum as Saint Leo went on a seven-point spurt. Tampa was unable to intercept the Lions roar as Saint Leo finished on top defeating the Spartans 58-53. Bacon led the offense in scoring with 19 points, while Shelton led the UT defense with 20 rebounds, also tallying 18 points offensively.

 INSIDE THE STATS:

  • Bacon led the Spartans in scoring with 19 points.
  • Shelton led the defense with 20 rebounds and four blocks, in addition to the 18 points he contributed on offense.
  • Robinson came in second in total rebounds with eight.

 BEYOND THE BOX:

  • Shelton recorded a career-high of rebounds in a single game with 20.

UP NEXT:
 Tampa will host the Rollins College Tars Saturday, February 3rd at 4:00 p.m. following the women's matchup at 2:00 p.m.

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