TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa men’s basketball team defected in their last game of the regular season by 15. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Lynn 85, Tampa 70

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (14-14, 8-12 SSC), Lynn University Knights (22-5, 15-5 SSC)

Location: de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center || Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa trails in the series 20-26. Both home and away records were split 9-13 and now the away record is 9-14.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half | Lynn jumped to a quick six-point lead as they drained two three-pointers back to back off the wing. Anthony Gamble was the first Spartan to score for Tampa. Coming off the bench, Alberto Moreno got off to a quick start to the Spartans in the game. Marco Downer did his part in the paint as he grabbed some offensive broads and slammed a dunk in from Gamble. By the third media time-out, Downer already was scoring in double digits with 11 points. With both teams going neck to neck with scoring, Lynn shot a better percentage from the field at 47 percent. The Spartans were also more aggressive getting to the line, as they had a total of 13 points in free-throws. For Lynn, their guard Darius Moore was knocking down threes back to back and then threw an ally-opp pass to Darius James that gave them a 10 point lead. Moore ended the half with 11 points and Downer ended with 11 points as well. 

2nd Half | Lynn opened up the half knocking down another three-pointer. Moreno came back and scored in consecutive possessions to reduce their lead to single digits. The same player for Lynn, Jamal Palmer drained another three-pointer to up the lead back to 11. Steady being tough on the inside, Downer converted an and-one play to keep the Spartans alive. With 16 minutes left, both teams went on a scoring drought. That drought was ended when Lynn converted on one of two free-throws. With 13 minutes remaining, Tampa’s star player of the game, Downer, got into foul trouble with four fouls. Lynn’s Michael Baez stayed hot the entire game as he dropped a total of 21 points in the half. Since the 10 minute mark, the Spartans never got back within 14 points. The game ended with the Knight up 85-70

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Downer had 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block.

• Gamble scores in double-figures for the eighth straight game with 11 points.

• Three Lynn players scored in double-digits combining for a total of 61 points.

BEYOND THE BOX:

UP NEXT: The Spartans will try to secure another victory away on Wednesday, February 13 as they are set to face Rollins College at 7:30.

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