Complete Effort Leads Spartan Rout of Ashland

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – On Friday, November 26, the University of Tampa men's basketball team defeated Ashland University in game two of the Eckerd College Thanksgiving Classic.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score: Tampa Spartans 77, Ashland Eagles 60

Records: Tampa (2-2), Ashland (2-2)

Location: McArthur Center || St. Petersburg Florida

All-Time Series: This is the first time that Ashland and Tampa have faced off. With their win, Tampa leads the series, 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st HALF

Tampa opened the scoring with a layup from Mykah Brown. Tampa would continue their strong start, with four early points from Martin Lakovic, and he would later make a three-pointer to put Tampa up 11-2 in the first five minutes. Ashland began to gain momentum later in the first half, taking a 14-4 deficit and lowering it to 14-12 after Tre Baumgardner made a three-pointer. Lakovic ended a four-minute scoring drought for the Spartans by drawing a foul and making one of the two free throws. Throughout the first half, turnovers were a big weakness for Tampa, and gave Ashland opportunities that let them take control. Derrick Felder started to heat up late in the second half, with two great buckets to put Tampa up by six. Brandon Haraway cut the lead in half with a three-pointer, and two and a half minutes to play. Brown would respond in kind and regain the six-point lead for the Spartans. After a rough start from beyond the arc, Tampa would find success with it late in the first half, as Jacob Harris would make a late three-pointer. Tampa would keep the nine-point lead into halftime, leading 31-22. Lakovic led the Spartans with eight points, while Aaron Thompson led the Eagles with nine points.

2nd HALF

Max Jones opened the scoring in the second half with a good layup to put the Spartans up by 11. Felder got a steal early on, and then got an assist on the break to Lakovic who made a beautiful dunk. Tampa once again got off to a hot start, and led by 21 six minutes into the second half. Jones was on fire in the second half for the Spartans, scoring 17 points in the first nine minutes, and making it 20 after a three-pointer with 10 minutes remaining. Despite the deficit, Ashland kept fighting, and Evan Bainbridge notably had two great dunks on the fastbreak later in the second half. Just like in the first half, Ashland began to gain momentum later in the second half, lowering the Spartans lead to just 13 with under four minutes to play. With two minutes left, Brock Waits tried to keep Ashland competitive with a late three-pointer, but it wasn't enough. Tampa was able to hold on and stop Ashland's late run, finishing with a 77-60 win.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Tampa opened up with great defense, keeping Ashland from scoring for seven and a half minutes early in the first half.

• Jones led the scoring with 24 points. He also was the most efficient scorer for the Spartans, going 10-16 from the field. 

• Felder led the Spartans with 12 rebounds, while also recording eight points and a team-high eight assists.

• Haraway led the Eagles with 16 points, and also led the Eagles with six rebounds.

• Tampa out-rebounded Ashland 38-32, and also led 48.5% to 40.4% in shooting percentage.

BEYOND THE BOX

• The Spartans have faced a lot of teams in their history, but this was the first-ever meeting between the Spartans and Eagles. 

• Jones had a quiet first half with zero points, but recovered perfectly by scoring 24 in the second half to give the Spartans their second win of the season.

• This was the best defensive night for Tampa in over two seasons, with the last time they conceded only 60 points or fewer coming in February 2019 with their 59-51 win over Florida Tech.

NEXT UP: Tomorrow, the Spartans face Bemidji State in game four of the Thanksgiving Classic.

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