Spartans Suffer Defeat at Undefeated, #2 Nova Southeastern

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans Men's Basketball falls to the top SSC team and nation's No. 2 squad. 

Final: Nova Southeastern Sharks 113, Tampa Spartans 69

Records: Tampa (5-9, 4-4 SSC), Nova Southeastern Sharks (15-0, 8-0 SSC)

Location: Rick Case Arena|| Fort Lauderdale, Fl. 

All-Time Series: Nova Southeastern extends its all-time series record against Tampa to 25-19. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

FIRST HALF 

After a Jesse White opening basket, the Sharks responded with an 8-0 run. The Spartans then cut the lead to 1 with 12 minutes remaining in half with Tyson Leitao leading the way with 7 points. The Sharks, however, returned the favor and went on a 13-0 run to lead by 14 with under 7 minutes remaining in half. After 2 made free throws by Jonathan Bryant II the Sharks went on a 9-0 run in 1 minute to extend their lead to 21. After some back-and-forth hoops, Nova went into the half-up by 25. || Score: 60-35 Sharks

SECOND HALF 

After the first 8 minutes of the second half of basketball was at a standstill, the Sharks eventually extended their lead to 30. The Sharks were just pouring it on and extended their lead to 45 up 105-60. The Sharks ended up winning big. || Score: 113-69 Sharks

INSIDE THE STATS 

• Three Spartans scored in double figures: Senior Mykah Brown (19), Sophomore Tyson Leitao (14), and Senior Jonathan Bryant II (10). 
• The Spartans had 24 turnovers compared to the Sharks' 12. 
• Tyson Leitao finished with a double-double, posting 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

BEYOND THE BOX

• The Spartans led for 15 seconds.
• The Sharks shot 56% from the field compared to Tampa's 41%.
• The Spartans made 21 free throws compared to the Sharks' 16.

UP NEXT: The Spartans look the snap the 2-game skid when they host Eckerd on Saturday, January 14^th, at 4:00 PM.

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GAMEDAY MULTIMEDIA: Fans may watch all home games and Sunshine State Conference contests on TampaSpartans.tv. Live stats are also available through TampaStats.com. 

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