SSC Opener Lives Up To The Hype, Spartans Lose In Final Seconds

Tampa, Fla – The University of Tampa Men's basketball team opened up SSC conference play tonight against Florida Southern. Tampa came into this game unbeaten and newly ranked 23rd in the country, the first top 25 ranking for the program since 2017. On the other side, Florida Southern came into this contest ranked 22nd in the nation but has been ranked in the top 25 for the entire year. The game was full of electric moments that a fan would expect out of a rivalry game.

Special Note - Tonight's top 25 rivalry matchup between the Spartans and Mocs is sponsored by Powell Investment Management & Insurance.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #23 Tampa 81,  #22 Florida Southern 82 
Records: #23 Tampa 6-1 (0-1 SSC), #22 Florida Southern 8-2 (2-1 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Center I Tampa, Fla
All-time series: This was the 125th all-time meeting between these two programs, with the loss Tampa falls to 43-82 against Florida Southern.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: Tonight's contest started fast, both teams were on the board in the first minute and in double digits by the 17th minute mark. Florida Southern was able to jump out to a 17-11 lead in the first few minutes but this lead would not last long. After some big shots from Amarion Nimmers and Ryan Blount, the Spartans were able to close the gap. From the 10 minute mark on this contest would stay fast but neither team was able to get any separation. With the score 26-24 in favor of the Mocs, Ryan Blount would hit an open layup of a well designed inbound play to tie the game at 26 with five and a half minutes left. Florida Southern ended their cold streak with a tough basket in the paint before Blount hit a huge three to give the Spartans their first lead of the game (29-28). Florida Southern exploded for 12 points in the final two minutes and finished the half with 40 total points. Tampa was able to keep up with the Mocs offensively and after a Tyson Leitao layup to end the half, only found themselves down 2 heading into the half.

Score: #23 Tampa 38, #22 Florida Southern 40

SECOND HALF: The second half started out as a continuation of the first. Both teams came out and played with high energy, hit shots, and made plays on the defensive end. At the 16 minute mark of the second half, Florida Southern's hit a three to tie the game at 48 but Amarion Nimmers would fire up the crowd at the Bob by answering right back with a three of his own. The game would continue to go back and forth before Florida Southern made 4 straight jumpers (2 of them three pointers) to take a multi-possession lead at the 12 minute mark. Trey Lane and Tyson Leitao would combine for the next 6 Spartan points to bring Tampa right back. Leitao by the 10 minute of the game had himself a double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds and kept it going as the Spartans were looking to pull out the win at home. By the 6 minute mark, the Spartans had jumped out a 71-66 lead but after two quick buckets by the Mocs, the score was 71-70 with just over five minutes to go. Florida Southern continued to hit shots and in a blink of an eye their 10-0 run led to a 75-71 lead. Amarion Nimmers would snap the Tampa cold streak with an electric three pointer to pull the game to 75-74 Mocs. Both teams would trade baskets but after another big basket from Nimmers, the Spartans would take the lead 78-77 with 53.2 seconds left. The Mocs hit a tough lay at the 40 second mark to give them the lead and a 2 for 1 opportunity. On the next possession, Kaden Froebe hit the biggest shot of the night for the Spartans, knocking down a three from the wing to give Tampa an 81-79 lead with 28.2 left on the clock. The 2 for 1 came back to haunt the Spartans in the end as Florida Southern used up all the remaining time of the game to drill a three with 1.6 seconds left. Unable to get a shot off with under two seconds left, the Mocs handed Tampa their first loss of the season.

Final: #23 Tampa 81, #22 Florida Southern

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tonight's Top 25 Rivalry Game lived up to the hype with 12 total lead changes
• Tampa hit 10+ three pointers for the 6th time this season
• Tyson Leitao and Amarion Nimmers combined for 42 points (21 each)

UP NEXT: The #23 ranked Spartans will hit the road for their first SSC road conference game of the year on Saturday, December 7th. Tampa won't have to travel far as they face Saint Leo University at 4:00pm.

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