Spartans Stumble in Saint Petersburg

SAINT PETERSBURG, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team could not rally in the second half against Eckerd on Wednesday evening. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Eckerd 69, Tampa 59
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (9-9, 3-7 SSC), Eckerd College Tritons (14-4, 7-3 SSC)
Location: McArthur Center || Saint Petersburg, Fla.
All-Time Series: Tampa leads 52-36; Eckerd has won the last five games against UT.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Eckerd opened up the game with a 12-5 lead, as Marco Behori rattled off seven points. Freddy Ibrahim netted a three-pointer for Tampa's first basket of the game. Devon Colley led the team with seven points in the half, while three different players secured two rebounds apiece. Tampa forced eight turnovers in the first half, which led to nine points. The Spartans shot 33.3% (6-for-18) from the field, compared to Eckerd's 37.9% (11-for-29) shooting percentage. Eckerd's Behori totaled 13 points in 15 minutes of action. Heading into halftime, the Spartans trailed the Tritons 34-21. 

2nd Half | The Spartans bounced back in the second half, as Cedric Belemene netted seven points in the first three minutes of the half. With 11:54 remaining, Tampa cut the lead within 10 points as Marco Downer slammed three dunks on four offensive possesions. Belemene grabbed seven rebounds in the second half, although UT trailed in total rebounds 45-26. Eckerd shot 37.9% from the field, while the Spartans shot 46.7% in the second half. Despite UT out-shooting the Tritons, Eckerd converted on 10-of-15 free-throws in the second half. Tyler Wilson registered a team-high 11 points, which tied with Ibrahim. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Wilson logged double-digit scoring for the second consecutive game. 
• Downer, the SSC leader in blocks, swatted three shots this evening. 
• Anthony Gamble, the team's leading scorer, left the game with an injury after 13 minutes of play.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• The Spartans have dropped four straight conference games, and five of the last six games. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa travels to Miami Shores on Saturday afternoon for a conference matchup against Barry University. 

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