ST. LEO, FL – The University of Tampa Men’s Basketball team faced off against the Saint Leo Lions in a weekend Sunshine State Conference Matchup.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Saint Leo, Tampa 
Records: Tampa Spartans (2-8, 0-4 SSC), Saint Leo Lions (7-4, 2-2 SSC)
Location: Marion Bowman Center || St. Leo, FL 
All-Time Series: Tampa leads in the all-time series with a record of 60-22 against the Lions. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Half || Both offenses were clicking coming into the game, as the lead changed a total of 11 times and the game was tied six times. The Spartans offense was fueled by the play of their guards, as junior guard Derrick Felder started the first half off hot for the Spartans by scoring his first five baskets. He finished the half with 14 points. Senior guard Pat Bacon finished the half with eight points. St. Leo outrebounded Tampa by a total of 23-13 and scored 14 points from offensive rebounds. || SLU 34-29

2nd Half || Both teams continued to battle, but Tampa’s defense dialed in as they were able to hold the Lions scoreless for over six minutes. The Spartans offense only managed to make a single three-point attempt in the half, as their shooting woes continued going 1-10 in the half. Despite the trouble from behind the arc, the Spartans were able to keep within one possession with a minute remaining in the game. With 30 seconds remaining, freshman Jake Harris was able to hit the game tying three to tie the game at 56-56. In the final possession of regulation time, Felder was able to poke the ball free from his opponent and send the game to overtime. || Tied 56-56

OT || Both teams continued to exchange blows in the extra period, as Derrick Felder hit a crucial three pointer and converted an and-one-layup to keep the Spartans in the game. However, the Spartans were unable to close out the game, as they dropped the game by four. || SLU 69-65

INSIDE THE STATS:

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Pat Bacon has scored in double-digits figures in every game this season.
• Tampa scored 30 points in the paint 
• Tampa shot 4-23 (17%) from 3PT range 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa Men’s Basketball team will look to defend their home court this Monday, December 16^th, as they battle Florida Memorial.

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