Tampa Fights Hard But Falls Short In Winter Park

Tampa, Fla – The University of Tampa Men's Basketball took a short road trip this afternoon for another Sunshine State Conference matchup. The Spartans traveled to face Rollins College in the last regular season matchup between these two schools. In what can only be described as an uphill battle, Tampa fought until the end. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 78, Rollins 95

Records: Tampa 14-9 (6-9 SSC), Rollins 14-8 (7-6 SSC)

Location: Warden Arena l Winter Park, Fla.

All-time series: This was the 113th meeting between these two programs. With the loss, Tampa still leads 71-42 in the all-time series. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: To open the game, both teams faced tough, in your face defense that kept the game scoreless for the first two minutes. It would not be until Rollins got a layup to fall with 18:03 on the clock for the game's first points and Tampa responded by getting to the line to tie the game. Tyson Leitao gave the Spartans their first lead of the game at 4-3 after draining two more freebies from the charity stripe. The Spartans got their first made field goal of the game when Kaden Froebe knocked down a three from the wing to extend the Tampa lead out to 7-3. Leitao continued the run with a tough left handed lay through contact before Rollins finally got back on the board. After the first five minutes, neither team had gained control of the pace of play with the Spartans leading 9-7. Both teams traded baskets until Rollins was able to earn three straight stops to help them tie the game up at 16-16 before hitting a three to retake the lead. Tyson Leitao answered with a smooth move on the lower block but the Tars came right back with another score. Freshman B.J. Schaeffer threw down a dunk in an attempt to gain some momentum but Rollins came right back with their electrifying three point play. Up 24-20, Rollins hit a deep three pointer and black to back lahyups to take a double digit point lead. Tampa continued to struggle offensively and Rollins made them pay with more three's to lead 34-20 with under seven to play in the first half. Grady Schwartz put an end to the scoreless run for the Spartans but they had work to do. After a defensive stop, Amarion Nimmers drilled a three to put some life back into the Spartans. However, Rollins again answered with back to back threes and took their largest lead of the first half at 40-24. The Tars followed that up with another energizing three point play and led by 21 points with four minutes remaining. The Spartans were able to gain some momentum back after Tyson Leitao converted three free throws and Trey Lane followed with a cutting layup. Leitao drained two more free throws and the Rollins lead was cut to 12. As the game crossed into the final minute of the half, Rollins sank free throws of their own to lead 50-36. Zach Johnson stepped up big for Tampa with a three point shot from the wing but Tampa was still down 13 points at the break. 

Score: Tampa 39, Rollins 52

SECOND HALF: Heading into the second half, the Spartans needed a full turn around. Rollins earned the first points of the second half with free throws and a jumper before Bryan Williams was able to go coast to coast for an easy bucket. Rollins and Trey Lane traded three pointers with under 17 minutes to go to make the scoreline 57-44. Unfortunately for Tampa, that three would be the last points for a few minutes and Rollins went on another run. They scored 13 unanswered points to blow their lead to 70-44. The Spartans were able to put a stop to the scoreless run by Rollins but could only trade baskets. By the 10 minute mark for the second half, Tampa was down by 30 when Bryan Williams and Ryan Blount hit back to back layups to try and spark a comeback. However, Rollins responded to each bucket with one of their own and still led by 30 with 7:11 left in the game. As the game winded down, Trey Lane hit back to back threes including a four point play, Grady Schwartz slammed down a big dunk, and Kyler Lamb finished a lay in transition after recording a steal. Despite the offense picking up steam, Tampa was still down 92-72 with only 4:15 left in the game. In the final minutes, Trey Lane drilled another three and Kyler Lamb hammered home a dunk. Tampa fought back and played hard in the final half but could not dig out of the 30 point hole. 

FINAL: Tampa 78, Rollins 95

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tyson Leitao (15) and Trey Lane (16) combine for 31 total points 

• Kaden Froebe records 4 steals 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will be back at the Bob Martinez center for an entire week. They will start the week off with Eckerd on Wednesday, February 12th with tip-off scheduled for 7:30pm. Tampa will finish the week with Senior Day on February 15th, celebrating. 

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