The Spartans Pull the Come-From-Behind OT Win to Beat #13 Embry-Riddle

Tampa, Fl. – The University of Tampa Spartans Men's Basketball team pulled off the upset in a thrilling come-from-behind OT winner to beat #13 Embry-Riddle 78-77!

Final: Tampa Spartans 78, Embry Riddle Eagle 77

Records: Tampa (2-5, 2-1 SSC), Embry-Riddle (6-2, 1-2 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Center || Tampa, Fl.

All-Time Series: Tampa extends their all-time series record against Embry-Riddle to 9-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

The Eagles went on a quick 6-0 run to open the game a little more than a minute into action. The Spartans followed it with a 5-0 run for themselves. After some back-and-forth action, the Spartans put themselves in a hole. The Eagles went on another 6-0 run and were up 23-12 with 11 minutes to go in the first half. The Eagles not only kept the lead but extended it to 14 going into the half|| Score: 45-31 Eagles

SECOND HALF

The Spartans very slowly clawed their way back into the game. The first opened the half on a 5-0 run after a 3-pointer from De'Andre Harvey. After the eagles extended their lead to 50-40 with 15 minutes left in the game. The Spartans then cut it to 3 with two baskets from Jonathan Bryant II. Once again, the eagles got their lead back up to 10 with 7 minutes to go. After the Spartans went on a 14-4 run to close the game and send it to overtime. || Score: 68-68 Tie

OVERTIME

After the Eagles kept a 4-point lead for the first 4 minutes of overtime Jacob Harris made a clutch 3-pointer to cut the Eagles lead to 1 with a minute left. After a defensive stop from the Spartans to force a turnover by the Eagles, Tampa had 22 seconds left to score a game-winner. De'Andre Harvey drove to the basket and got fouled with a second left and made both free throws to win the game. || Score: 78-77 Spartans

INSIDE THE STATS

• All five Spartan starters scored in double figures tonight: Senior Jonathan Bryant II (21), Senior Mykah Brown (19), Sophomore Tyson Leitao (13), Junior Jacob Harris (12), & Sophomore De'Andre Harvey (11),
• The Spartans and Eagles both had 9 turnovers.
• Jacob Harris recorded a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOX

• The Spartans led for only 1 minute and 36 seconds, but that is all they needed.
• Tampa led in 3FG% at 36% compared to the Eagles at 21%.
• The Spartans shot 81% from the line making 17 of its 21 free throws.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will be off for two weeks before they host the Tampa Classic and matchup against North Georgia on Saturday, December 17, at 7:00 PM.

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