Froebe and Leitao record double-doubles, Darner hits 400 Wins in Tampa Classic Opener for the Spartans

Tampa, Fla – The University of Tampa Men's Basketball opened up the Tampa Classic tonight with a strong performance at the Bob. The Spartans took on the Roberts Wesleyan University Redhawks in what was a fast paced, high scoring game.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 90, Roberts Wesleyan 67

Records: Tampa 8-2, Roberts Wesleyan 5-7

Location: Bob Martinez Center l Tampa, Fla

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

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: Tonight's contest could not have started out any better for the Spartans and set the stage for the rest of the game. Tampa jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead and after the first five minutes, led 17-8. The Spartans held a comfortable lead for most of the first half before starting to really blow it up. After back to back threes from Ryan Blount and Trey Lane, the Spartans held a 36-16 lead with under seven minutes to go in the first half. Both teams would trade baskets until the Redhawkes went on their first run of the game, bringing the double digit lead back closer to ten. Amarion Nimmers and Tyson Leitao closed out the first half with a bucket each to give the Spartans a 14 point halftime lead. 

Score: Tampa 44, Roberts Wesleyan 30

SECOND HALF: The second half of action can only be described as an offensive explosion. Both teams combined for 83 total points on over 35% combined shooting efficiency. The half started with both teams trading baskets before Tampa went on their first of two game winning runs. In the first run, Trey Lane provided a spark of the bench, drilling another three and snagging two steals. The lead had grown to almost 30 points with 12 minutes still left to play. The Redhawks did not roll over, answering with a small run of their own. However the energy and efficiency of the Spartans was just too much for them to handle and the lead would be back out to an unreachable amount. Both teams would trade baskets in the final minutes but in the end the Spartans would open the Tampa Classic with a 23 point win. 

Final: Tampa 90, Roberts Wesleyan 67

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Five Spartans recorded 10+ points 

• Both Tyson Leitao and Kaden Froebe recorded double-doubles 

• With today's win, Head Coach Linc Darner has 400 wins for his career!

UP NEXT: The Spartans will be back in action tomorrow to close out the Tampa Classic. They will face Flagler College on Saturday night at 7:00pm in the final basjetball at the Bob in 2024. 

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