Spartans Late Surge Not Enough Against Panthers

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans late rally against the Florida Tech Panthers was not enough to a seal a victory, as the Spartans lost 94-84.

Final: Florida Tech Panthers 94, University of Tampa Spartans 84

Records: Tampa (3-3), Florida Tech (3-3).

Location: Charles Ruth Clemente Center | Melbourne, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa trails the all-time series 54-28.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

The first 10 minutes of the half was a classic game of trading baskets, with Freshman Max Jones leading the Spartans scoring effort. He scored 13 of the Spartans first 20 points and the Spartans were down one with 10:34 left in the first. The Panthers went on a three-point barrage, scoring sinking six in the final 10 minutes of the half, to earn a double-digit lead. Jones led the Spartans with 13 points. Sophomore Jacob Harris was second with eight points scored in his first start of the season. Senior Brent Duncan, Freshman De'Andre Harvey, and Senior Martin Lakovic each added four points. Harris and Junior Mykah Brown each had three assists. Score: 46-35 FLT

SECOND HALF

Tampa was led in scoring by Brown and Harvey, both scoring 11 points. Brown, Harris, Harvey, and Jones each had a hand in a 12-4 run about midway through the half that reduced the Panthers lead to single digits, 64-52 with 11:43 to go. The Spartans narrowly outscored the Panthers 42-40 in the second half but were unable to gain the lead and dropped their third game of the season. Harris finished the game with 14 points on 5-10 shooting, including 4-7 from deep, and added three rebounds and five assists. His assist count led all Spartans. Score: 86-77 FLT

INSIDE THE STATS

• UT had four players in double-digit scoring: Max Jones (21), De'Andre Harvey (15), Jacob Harris (14), and Mykah Brown (11).
• UT had seven players grab three or more boards: Harvey (6), Jones (5), Tate Muilenberg (4), Brown (3), Brent Duncan (3), Harris (3), and Martin Lakovic (3).
• Harris and Brown had five and four assists, respectively.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Jacob Harris started his first game of the season and made the most of his opportunities, scoring 14 points on 5-10 shooting, 4-7 from three.
• De'Andre Harvey scored a season-high 15 points, good for second on the Spartans.
• Max Jones 21 points nudged his season average to over 20 points per game. Jones 20 points per game makes him the second leading scorer in the Sunshine State Conference.

UP NEXT: The Spartans are back in Melbourne Tuesday for a 5:00 p.m. tipoff with the Florida Tech Panthers in the Sunshine State Quarterfinals.

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