Spartans Overcome Deficit to beat Eckerd!

Tampa, FL. – The University of Tampa Spartans Men's Basketball comes out on top in a competitive I-275 SSC matchup against Eckerd!

Final: Tampa Spartans 80, Eckerd Tritons 73

Records: Tampa (6-9, 6-4 SSC), Eckerd (6-9, 3-6 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Center || Tampa, Fl. 

All-Time Series: Tampa extends their all-time series lead over Eckerd to 57-37. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

FIRST HALF 

The Spartans came out of the gates hot, making 7 of its first eight shots, including going on a 5-0 and a 6-0 run. Tampa leads 15-7 just a little over 5 minutes into the game. A minute later, the Tritons responded with an 8-1 run to cut the Spartan's lead to 1. The rest of the half was some entertaining basketball, with neither team leading more than by 3 points. Eckerd found a way to take the lead going into the half. | Score: 36-34 Tritons 

SECOND HALF 

After shot for the shot was made for each team, the Spartans regained the lead at 57-55 with 11 minutes thanks to 2 free throws made by Jesse White, including his 11 points in the second half. The Tritons would no turn their backs and kept the Spartans lead to 2 with 5 minutes remaining; however, the Spartans then expanded their small lead to a big one. Going on an 8-0 run in 2 minutes due to 3-pointers made by Harris and Brown, the Spartans lead by 10. The Tritons came up short, and Tampa won! || Score: 80-73 Spartans 

INSIDE THE STATS 

• Six Spartans scored in double figures: Sophomore Jesse White (18), Sophomore Tyson Leitao (14), Sophomore De'Andre Harvey (14), Junior Jacob Harris (10), Senior Mykah Brown (12), and Senior Jonathan Bryant II (10). 
• The Spartans shot 56% from the field. 
• Jonathan Bryant II finished with all 10 points off the bench. 

BEYOND THE BOX

• The Spartans led or were tied with Eckerd for nearly 35 minutes.
• Tampa shot 37% from three compared to Eckerd's 25%.
• The Tritons led in almost every category despite their loss to the Spartans.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will travel to Lakeland for a weekday SSC rival matchup against the Florida Southern Mocs on Wednesday, January 18 at 7:30 PM.

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