Florida Southern Bests Tampa in SSC Rivalry Contest

TAMPA, Fla. - The Florida Southern College Moccasins shocked the University of Tampa Spartans on their home court Wednesday night. as the Moccasins ended the Spartans seven-game winning streak.

Final Score: Florida Southern College Moccasins 87, University of Tampa Spartans 83

Records: Tampa (11-4, 7-3 SSC), Florida Southern (7-11, 4-6 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Florida

All-Time Series: The Spartans are 43-74 against Florida Southern all-time. The Spartans won their last matchup against Florida Southern on March 3rd, 2021.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half: A close game in the first half, the Moccasins showing more urgency early on. Florida Southern's defensive pressure forced Tampa's offense to take more contested shots. This would change the pace of the game after the 10-minute mark. Which would lead to an all-out three-point shootout– Florida Southern made four straight threes from the 8'-6' minute mark. What really sparked Tampa's offense was (5:30) Mykah Brown off the fast break throws down the two-hand dunk. Brown would chip in seven points in the half. From this point, Max Jones found his touch with 12 points including a three. (1:54) Tampa went on an 8-0 run in 50 seconds. But was stopped when the Moccasins went on a 6-0 run in the last two minutes to tie the game. || Score: 39-39 Tie

Second Half: The Moccasins went on a 19-10 run in the first six minutes to increase the lead to nine (58-49). The Moccasins did not let up, controlling more possessions and scoring more points off the fastbreak. (8:10) Moccasins's Mckelphin shot a three to put the lead up to 13 the most the Moccasins led in the night so far. De'Andre Harvey. showing more aggression would immediately retaliate with a pull-up jumper to cut the lead to 11. The Moccasins would not let up, forcing the Spartans to rely more on the key players like Martin Lakovic and Bryan Williams to step up. (2:50) Jones steals the ball and is fouled as he went up for a layup. Jones' two made free throws would cut the deficit to six (80-74). Moccasins' Denny converts an "and one" floater after getting fouled to put the lead back to double-digits With one minute remaining, Jones quickly drives down the courts and flushes a right-hand dunk to cut the lead down to eight (86-78). Lakovic converted a layup to cut the lead to six with 36 seconds remaining. Off the rebound, Lakovic passes it cross-court to Brown who hits a clutch three with 15.8 left on the clock (86-83). Jones would attempt two more threes but could not convert. He would then intentionally foul, which led to Florida Southern's Booth to seal the deal at the free-throw line. || Score: 87-83 Florida Southern

INSIDE THE STATS

● Jones 27 points 9-21FG

● Florida Southern bench outscored Tampa's 39-18

● Moccasins' Casale; 13 points 10 rebounds

BEYOND THE BOX

● Moccasins end Spartans seven-game winning streak

● Tampa drops to #3 in the SSC

● Tampa never led in the second half.

UP NEXT: Tampa will face No. 3 and SSC frontrunner Nova Southeastern University on Saturday at 4:00 pm at the Martinez Center.

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