Tampa Falls to a Solid North Georgia Team

Tampa, Fl. – The University of Tampa Spartans Men's Basketball team falls to the North Georgia Nighthawks in their opening matchup of the Tampa Classic!

Final: North Georgia Nighthawks 69, Tampa Spartans 53

Records: Tampa (2-6, 2-1 SSC), North Georgia (8-1, 2-0 PBC)

Location: Bob Martinez Center || Tampa, Fl.

All-Time Series: The Nighthawks receive their first-ever win in program history over the Tampa Spartans.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

After a Tyson Leitao layup to open up the game, the Nighthawks quickly got out to a huge lead following a 15-0 run. The Spartans quickly responded themselves with a 9-0 run including 4 straight points from Yarden Willis. The nighthawks then went on a 5-0 to put their lead back up to 20-11. After some back-and-forth basketball and the Nighthawks going on a 5-0 run to end the half, the Spartans ended up trailing by 17 to end the half. || Score: 40-23 Nighthawks

SECOND HALF

After some back-and-forth basketball to up the half, the Spartans found themselves in a 20-point hole, down 54-34. They quickly responded with a 10-0 run including 6 points from De'Andre Harvey a. The Spartans were down 10 with 9 minutes to go; however, the Nighthawks responded with a 7-0 run to go back up to 17. Tampa then went on a 9-0 run to cut the Nighthawk's lead to 8 with 2 minutes left. However, the Spartans ran out of time and the Nighthawks pulled away late. || Score: 69-53 Nighthawks

INSIDE THE STATS

• All five Spartan starters scored in double figures tonight: Junior Jacob Harris (10), Sophomore De'Andre Harvey (11), Graduate Yarden Willis (10)
• The Spartans had 18 turnovers compared to the Nighthawks' 15.
• The Spartans lead 9-0 over the Nighthawks in second-chance points.

BEYOND THE BOX

• The Spartans led for only 24 seconds the whole game.
• North Georgia lead 51% from the field compared to the Spartan's 45%.
• Tampa shot 75% from the line compared to the Nighthawk's 70%.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will be back in action tomorrow on the court at Bob Martinez to face off against Flagler on Sunday, December 18, at 7:00 PM.

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