Tampa Dominates Florida Tech on Road

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball came, saw, and conquered Saturday afternoon, dominating Florida Tech 92-72 in a collective team win.

Final: University of Tampa Spartans 92, Florida Tech Panthers 72

Records: Tampa (9-3) SSC: (5-2), Florida Tech (9-4) SSC: (3-5)

Location: Clemente Center || Melbourne, Fla.

All-Time Series: The Spartans are now 56-29 against Florida Tech. However, Florida Tech has a two-game winning streak, with their last matchup being on March 16, 2021.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half: The Spartans went on a 15-2 run during the first five minutes of the game before Florida Tech called their first timeout. Max Jones and Jonathan Bryant II, scoring early (10 points and eight points) helped the Spartans during that run. From that point, Florida Tech showed more urgency and battled back, going on a 16-10 run from the 14 minute to the eight-minute mark to take the lead 26-24. Tampa went on a four-minute scoring drought during this time which allowed the Panthers to control the narrative. At this time, the Panthers led 9-4 in points off turnovers and even caused the Spartans to give up four turnovers in a span of a few minutes. Tampa would regain control during the last couple of minutes of the first half. 5:55' 26-28– Spartans went on an 11-0 to increase the lead to 37-28 at 2:50 minutes left before Jones fouled Sean Houpt's 3pt attempt. De'Andre Harvey contributed during this stretch with nine points off 3-3 shooting. The Spartans closed out the half on an impressive 18-3 run. || Score: 44-31 (Tampa)

Second Half: Both teams came out trading blows from the three-point line. Tampa early on, was shooting 53% from 3-point range. Tampa maintained control in the flow of the game, slowly increasing the lead double digits in the first few minutes.14' Spartans lead increased to 17 (50-33), the most the lead extended to so far. 13:32 remaining, Panthers forward Mekhii Noble (#13) was awarded a technical foul after missing the putback dunk and expressed his frustration to the referee. Jones made both of those technical free throws. 12' 68-43 (Spartans) Jones off the fast break, soars and throws down a right-hand dunk. The Spartans now led 25, the most they led in the game. Between the 13'-8' minute mark, the Panthers went on a 12-3 run to shorten the deficit— 71-53 (Spartans). Point guard, Derrick Felder really came alive in the second half. Felder had his first double-double of the season scoring 12 points and an impressive 15 assists. 4:26 remaining Bryant II goes up for the dunk but is blocked. Panthers on the fastbreak give up a turnover to Max Jones who passes to Harvey for the layup. With 3:12 to go, Bryan Williams soars to the rim for the dunk. Jones followed that up with a fastbreak three-pointer to increase the score to 85-62. Jones scored 11 of his 21 points in the second half. Florida Tech lost all hope in themselves lashing out to the referees. With 30 seconds left, Panthers, Runako Ziegler got a technical foul, The Panther's second technical of the night. || Final: 92-72  (Tampa)

INSIDE THE STATS

• Jones led all Spartans with 21 points, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range.
• Felder had a double-double with 12 points and a career-high 15 assists. He also pulled down a team-leading eight rebounds.
• The Spartans shot 55 percent from 3-point range.
• Four of Tampa's five starters scored double digits, as De'Andre Harvey added 13 points off the bench.
• UT out-assisted Florida Tech 27-16

BEYOND THE BOX

• Tampa is now riding a five-game winning streak.
• The Spartans move up to the third spot in the SSC.
• The Spartans end a two-game series losing streak at Florida Tech.

UP NEXT: Tampa will face Rollins College on Wednesday, Jan. 12 at 7:30 pm in Tampa, Fla.

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