Eckerd Holds Off Spartans in Back-and-Forth SSC Contest

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team faced off against the Eckerd Tritons in a midweek Sunshine State Conference Matchup.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Eckerd 63, Tampa 61
Records: Tampa Spartans (2-6, 0-2 SSC), Eckerd Tritons (5-3, 2-0 SSC)
Location: McArthur Center || St. Petersburg, FL 
All-Time Series: Tampa leads in the all-time series with a record of 53-37 against the Tritons. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half || Both teams started the game somewhat slow as no player on either side recorded double figures. Guard Pat Bacon contributed 9 points in the first half, as the two teams battled and exchanged the lead a handful of times. Despite the numerous lead exchanges, there was sloppy play by both teams as they combined for 15 turnovers which resulted in a low scoring first half. || EC 32-29

2nd Half || Both teams seemed to pick up the pace on the offensive end as both teams exchanged baskets at a quick pace. Once again, senior guard Pat Bacon took the game into his own hands in the second half. Bacon recorded 20 points in the second half, finishing the game with 29 points on 10 of 19 shooting from the field. However, down the stretch of the second half, Tampa's offense came up short as the Tritons defense came up with a crucial defensive play with seven seconds left in the game. || EC 63-61

INSIDE THE STATS:

• With 29 points tonight, Pat Bacon becomes the 10^th leading scoring in Tampa Men's Basketball history recording 1,442 points career, passing Chris Evans' 1,419.
• Two Spartans finished in double-figures: Pat Bacon (29), Derrick Felder (11).

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Pat Bacon has scored in double-digits figures in every game this season.
• Pat Bacon has also scored 20+ points in 7 out of the team's 8 games this year; currently averaging 22.6 points per game. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa Men's Basketball team will look to defend their home court this Saturday, December 4^th, as they face-off against conference opponent Rollins College.

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