Williams’ 16 Points Pushes Spartans Over Fighting Knights

Boca Raton, Fla. - The Tampa Spartans Men's Basketball team defeat Lynn Fighting Knights in a close bout Saturday afternoon in Miami, FL. The Spartans end their two-game losing streak.

Final: Tampa Spartans 66 , Lynn Fighting Knights 65

Records: Tampa (13-5, 8-4 SSC ) , Lynn (9-11, 3-10 SSC)

Location: de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center || Boca Raton, FL

All-Time Series: The Spartans are 22-28 against the Fighting Knights all-time. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half: The Spartans and Fighting Knights clash in an all out war. Both teams shot poor in the first half, with the Spartans shooting at 32%and the Knight's at 42%. Tampa's Bryan Williams (#12) stepped up off the bench in Max Jones'sabsence. Scoring 11 points including two steals; an impressive performance for the freshman guard. Tampa lead early but not for long as the Knights basically the entire half. However, the Knights lead in the first half never exceeded four points.Tampa as a team high had eight personal fouls, especially De'Andre Harvey who was awarded a technical foul (5:19). Fortunately, the Spartans were able to stay in the game. II Score: 31-29 (Lynn)

Second Half: When the Spartans got their offense going, Jonathan Bryant II jumped in and scored 10 points in the half. Although Tampa got into foul trouble early on, The Knight's shot 85% from the free throw line because of this. In the turnover ratio, the Knights gave up 10 turnovers off eight steals caused by the Spartans. The iron part is Lynn led the majority of the half, it wasn't until the final few minutes Tampa started to apply more pressure and take the lead with Jonathan Bryant II's layup on the 10-0 Spartans run (10:24). The lead kept changing back and forth up until the 3:56 minute mark where the Knights had a six point lead. Tampa quickly went on an 8-0 (64-62) then Lynn scored a free throw to cut the lead to one. A layup scored by De'Andre Harvey (#10) puts the lead to three, but Tampa's Tyson Leitao (#32)fouls Lynn's Ellis who converts both free throws. Just one point short from tying the game.   || Score: 66-65 (Tampa)

INSIDE THE STATS

BEYOND THE BOX

UP NEXT: Tampa will face Eckerd College on Wednesday, Feb 2nd at 7:30pm in St. Petersburg, FL.

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