Team Effort Edges Spartans Past Fighting Knights

Tampa, Fla. – The University of Tampa men's basketball team increased their season wins to five in a close matchup against Lynn University.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score: Tampa 77, Lynn 75

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (5-12, 2-7 SSC), Lynn University Fighting Knights (7-8, 3-6 SSC)

Location: Tampa, Fla. || Bob Martinez Athletic Center

All-Time Series: Tampa still trails in the all-time series but increases the record to 21-27. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | Tampa started the game off with hot shooting and intense defense. Martin Lakovic scored the first five points for the Spartans. Within the first five minutes, Tampa had forced Lynn to commit three quick turnovers. The ball movement on the floor was spectacular as each starter scored within the first five minutes as well. Gio Diaz received his second start of the season and drained three three-points in the first half. Pat Bacon, team leader, dropped 12 points, shooting 6-9. Bacon was also the court general as he dished his season-high in assists with eight in the first half alone. The half ended with the Spartans running away with an 18-point lead. || Tampa 45, Lynn 27

2nd Half | Going into the second half, Tampa was shooting a nice 56 percent from the field. That percentage was maintained in the beginning of the half, despite starting off with a few misses. Tampa's first points of the second came from Derrick Felder which then put him in double-digit figures. Lakovic had his momentum going from the first half as he slammed in his third dunk of the game with the Spartans on a 6-0 run. Lynn tried to make a comeback late in the game as they tied the lead up at 75 with 30 seconds left on the clock. Bacon did his job as the team's captain by putting in the leading basket and committing smart fouls to milk the clock which left Lynn without a chance. || Tampa 77, Lynn 75

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Pat Bacon was the leading scorer with 22 points. He also filled the stat sheet with 11 assists and seven rebounds. 
• Martin Lakovic was the second leading scorer with 20 points, shooting 8-12 from the field.
• Four Spartans scored in double-digit figures Pat Bacon (22), Martin Lakovic (20), Derrick Felder (12), and Gio Diaz (13). 
• Tampa finished shooting 51 percent from the field. 

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Martin Lakovic scored a season-high of 20 points.
• Pat Bacon recorded his first double-double of the season with 22 points and 11 assists. 
• Pat Bacon has made his 100^th free-throw of the season. 
• Khadim Gueye grabbed a high of 15 rebounds with seven of them being offensive.

UP NEXT: Tampa will travel to Florida Southern on Wednesday for a 7:30 pm tip-off as the Spartans look to gain a second win in a row.

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