Spartans Fall in the Battle of I-75

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Spartans fall in the I-75 matchup against the St. Leo Lions.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Saint Leo Lions 93, Tampa Spartans 77

Records: Tampa (4-5, 1-2 SSC), St. Leo Lions (5-4, 1-2 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time: Spartans still control their series with the Lions, scoring 69-27.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st HALF

Jaxon Toney would score the opening basket with an emphatic dunk. St. Leo would respond with a 20-2 run to take a 20-4 lead. Tampa would go on a scoring frenzy themselves. After Amari Davis made four straight free throws, the Spartans would follow with their own 20-3 run to take a 28-23 lead. The Lions would follow with a 15-3 run and take a 38-31 lead before Tampa would call a timeout. Davis would make one more free throw before heading into the locker rooms.  | Score: 38-32 St. Leo

2nd HALF

Toney would open the half just like how he opened up the with four straight points, followed by a Tyson Leitao jump shot to tie the game up at 38. After both teams made baskets and played similar basketball, St. Leo would take an eight-point lead before the Spartans called a timeout. The Spartans wouldn't be able to overcome the deficit, with St. Leo stretching their lead out to eighteen with a little more than two minutes left in the game. | Score: 93-77 St. Leo  

INSIDE THE STATS

• Toney led the Spartans with 21 points, 3 assists, and 8 rebounds.
• Davis had 12 points, and De'Andre Harvey had 10 points off the bench.
• Leitao recorded a double-double with 11 points and 19 rebounds.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Tampa scored 36 points in the paint, while St. Leo scored 20.
• Tampa shot 35.5% from the field and 67.9% from the line.
• Tampa dominated the glass with 52 rebounds.

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa Spartans host the Tampa Classic next weekend. They will matchup against Tiffin on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 2:00 P.M.