Spartans Escape Barn Burner in Double Overtime over Francis Marion

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans win a barn burner in double overtime behind a game-winning three-pointer from Jesse White.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score:  Tampa Spartans 106, Francis Marion 103 (2 OT)

Records: Tampa (2-1), Francis Marion (2-2) 

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla. 

All-Time Series: The Spartans have won the only two meetings with the Patriots.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st HALF 

Tampa came out of the gates early, with a quick 6-0 start, including Jacob Harris finding open areas under the basket for two layups. After the Patriots would cut the Spartan's lead to one possession, the Spartans would go on a 7-0 run to take a ten-point lead of 20-10. However, the Patriots would scratch away the Tampa lead and tie the game at 30 a piece with five minutes left in the half. The game would stay tied up going into the half at 41. Amari Davis would lead all Spartan Scorers at the half with eleven. | Score: 41-41 Tied

2nd HALF

Despite White making two shots behind the arch in three spartan possessions to take a seven-point lead with fifteen minutes left in regulation, no lead was safe in the contest. After a Davis layup to put the Spartans up 74-70, the Patriots would score six straight to take a 2-point lead. After back-and-forth basketball, the end of regulation would be all squared up at 86. | Score: 86-86 Tied

1st OVERTIME 

Davis would start the Spartans' scoring with a floater to cut the Patriot's lead to one after three straight points from Francis Marion. Ian Higdon would make a put-back layup after his miss, followed by a Harp Hunter three-ball to put Tampa back up by two at 93-91. Tampa found themselves down by one with a minute left. The Spartans made a defensive stand, and Davis made his way to the line with five seconds left. After missing the first one, he made the second to extend the game into another overtime. | Score: 94-94 Tied

2nd OVERTIME

The largest lead throughout the overtime was one possession; with ten seconds left, Tampa found themselves with the chance to take the final shot. Isaiah Young drove to the basket and dished out a pass for a wide-open look for a three-ball for White, who put it in the back of the net. | Score: 106-103 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS

• Davis led Tampa with 30 points.
• Tyson Leitao finished with a double-double, posting 11 points and 16 boards.
• Jaxon Toney also finished with a double-double, posting 22 points and 14 boards.

BEYOND THE BOX

• White finished with 15 points on 4 of 10 from behind the arch.
• Harris scored 11 points in 17 minutes
• Hunter led all scorers off the bench with 13.

UP NEXT: The Spartans have a quick turnaround, hosting Georgia College tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 18, at 2:30 p.m.