Tampa Survives in Double Overtime Over Minnesota Crookston

Tampa, Fla – The University of Tampa Men's Basketball team took the floor tonight to face Minnesota Crookston.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score (2 OT): Tampa 103, Minnesota Crookston 96

Records: Tampa 6-0, Minnesota Crookston 1-5

Location: Bob Martinez Center l Tampa, Fla

All-time series: This was the first meeting all-time between these programs; Tampa now leads the all-time series 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: Tampa demonstrated resilience and offensive prowess in the first half, highlighted by a strong finish to lead 37-36. Bryan Williams sparked the offense early, hitting key free throws and a three-pointer to keep Tampa in contention. Amarion Nimmers and Tyson Leitao contributed critical plays, with Nimmers' three-pointer narrowing the gap and Leitao's dunk and defensive efforts energizing the team. Trey Lane shone in a pivotal stretch, scoring back-to-back layups and hitting a late three-pointer to give Tampa a narrow edge. Tampa's defense stepped up with multiple steals and blocks, particularly from Leitao, disrupting Minnesota Crookston's rhythm. The team's determination and timely scoring allowed them to overcome early deficits and take momentum into halftime.

Score: Tampa 37, Minnesota Crookston 36

SECOND HALF: Tampa showcased determination and grit in a tightly contested second half, ultimately holding strong in critical moments to maintain their edge. Williams and Nimmers led the charge, with clutch free throws, a key three-pointer, and vital rebounds keeping Tampa competitive. Leitao's consistency on both ends of the floor, including critical defensive stops and timely free throws, provided much-needed stability. Lane contributed pivotal assists and layups, including a go-ahead play late in the game that solidified Tampa's offensive momentum. Despite a last-second shot from Minnesota Crookston tying the game, Tampa's defense stepped up with steals from Nimmers and Lane, disrupting Minnesota Crookston's flow at critical junctures.

Score: Tampa 78, Minnesota Crookston 78

OVERTIME: Tampa excelled in overtime, demonstrating clutch playmaking and defensive tenacity. Williams set the tone with an early three-pointer and a key layup, while Lane contributed a crucial steal and layup to extend Tampa's lead. Nimmers delivered a decisive three-pointer late in the period, pushing Tampa's advantage to seven points. With strong rebounding from Leitao and relentless defensive efforts, Tampa managed to control the tempo and hold off Minnesota Crookston's late-game push to extend into the second overtime.

Score: Tampa 88, Minnesota Crookston 88

2^ND OVERTIME: Tampa dominated the second overtime with clutch shooting and strong defensive plays to seal the victory. Ryan Blount was pivotal, hitting back-to-back three-pointers and converting crucial free throws to give Tampa the edge. Nimmers provided a spark with a decisive layup and a game-ending dunk off a steal, showcasing Tampa's relentless energy. Key rebounds by Leitao and Lane, along with a timely team timeout, allowed Tampa to maintain control and extend their lead to a decisive 103-96 finish.

Final: Tampa 103, Minnesota Crookston 96

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Spartans had 32 points off turnovers.
• Williams led all scorers with 27 points.
• Nimmers, Lane, and Leitao, all with double-doubles.

SPARTAN HISTORY:

• Head Coach Linc Darner now has 398 career wins under his belt.
• First 6-0 start for Spartans since the 2012-13 season.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will host their first conference matchup of the season. Tip-off will be Tuesday, December 3^rd, at 7:00 p.m. 

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube