Spartans Take Win From Mocs In Lakeland

LAKELAND, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans defeated the Florida Southern College Moccasins, 94-84, to earn their third win of the season.

Final: University of Tampa Spartans 94, Florida Southern Moccasins 84.

Records: Tampa (3-2), Florida Southern (3-3).

Location: George W. Jenkins Field House| Lakeland, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa trails the all-time series 43-73.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

Freshman Max Jones opened the scoring for the Spartans with a three-point shot. Senior Derrick Felder, Junior Mykah Brown, and Jones all started off perfect from beyond the arc, going a collective 4-4 to facilitate an early run that gave Tampa a 13-6 lead with 16:42 left in the first. Florida Southern answered the Spartans early rally, outscoring Tampa 10-6 over the next four minutes to tie the game, 16-16 with 13:08 to go. Felder was the second leading scorer with 12 points on 4-6 shooting, including 2-2 from the three-point line. He added three rebounds and two assists. Senior Brent Duncan was electric off the bench in the half, leading the Spartans in scoring on near perfect shooting, 6-7 from the field and sinking both free-throw opportunities. He scored 10 of Tampa's 16 final points in the first, and the Spartans went into halftime with a four-point lead, 46-42.

SECOND HALF

Senior Martin Lakovic and Brown came alive in the second half and led the Spartans scoring efforts. Lakovic scored 10 of his 13 points in the second half and Brown scored 17 of his game-leading 21 points. The Senior and Junior shot a combined 5-8 from beyond the arc and were perfect on two free throw attempts apiece. Jones was the third leading scorer in the half with seven points and Duncan added six points on 3-5 shooting off the bench for good measure. The Spartans had three players grab four rebounds in the second half: Felder, Lakovic, and Senior Khadim Gueye. Tampa outscored the Mocs 20-14 in the final eight minutes of the game to seal the road victory.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Derrick Felder had another all-around effort, flirting with a triple-double via 12 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. He added a block and a steal. 
• UT shot nearly 80% from the free-throw line, shooting 18-23 as a team.
• UT had two players score 20 or more points: Mykah Brown and Brent Duncan; three other Spartans were also in double digits: Felder (12), Max Jones (16), and Martin Lakovic (13).

BEYOND THE BOX

• Derrick Felder has now logged five or more points, rebounds, and assists in back-to-back games. 
• Max Jones scoring streak of 15 or more points per game extends to five with a 16 point effort against Florida Southern. 
• UT has led both teams in steals and blocks in all five games to open the season. 

UP NEXT: The Spartans continue their road trip with a Saturday stop in Miami Shores, Fla. to take on the Barry University Buccaneers. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

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