East Hillsborough News

The University of Tampa Spartans Men's Basketball team can't close the cage on the Lions as they fall in Saint Leo.

Final: Saint Leo Lions 77, Tampa Spartans 71

Records: Tampa (5-7, 4-2 SSC), Saint Leo (11-5, 3-3 SSC)

Location: Saint Leo University || Saint Leo, Fl.

All-Time Series: The Spartans drop a game on their still impressive all-time record against the Lions, 62-26.

HOW IT HAPPENED

FIRST HALF

The Spartans got off to a very slow start to begin the game against their SSC rivals, only being able to muster 6 points in the first 11 minutes of action and trailing by as many as 10 during that span. Luckily for Tampa, their defense kept themselves in the game, and they were able to find their way offensively, where a Mykah Brown and-one capped off an 8-0 Tampa run in only a minute of action. Tampa appeared to be heading to the locker room with a larger deficit, but another quick 7-0 run that was eventually capped off by a Tyson Leitao three-pointer kept the Spartans close at half. | Score: 33-30 Lions.

SECOND HALF

After more of the same to begin the second half, at around the 14:00 minute mark in the half, Jonathan Bryant II took matters into his own hands by going on a personal 10-0 run to bring the score even. Shortly after, a Mykah Brown layup with 11:24 to play gave the Spartans their first lead since the opening basket of the game. Later in the half, Tampa jumped out to their largest lead of the game, 6 with 4:48 left, before their offensive wheels blew off. In the final 4:43, Saint Leo went on a 14-2 run to close out the victory. The Spartans missed 6 of their final 7 shots, while the Lions turned in quite the opposite by making 6 of their final 8 shots, adding in a free throw, to snatch the game from Tampa's hands. | Score: 77-71 Lions.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Jesse White led the Spartans with 16 points.
• Tyson Leitao grabbed a season high 14 rebounds.
• Jonathan Bryant II was a difference maker on the floor, leading the team with a +16 plus-minus.

BEYOND THE BOX

• The Spartans had 12 offensive rebounds to Saint Leo's 6 but were only able to turn them into 6 second-chance points.
• The Lions relied heavily on the production from their starters, as their bench only contributed 4 points.
• Saint Leo's bread and butter was found inside the paint, outscoring Tampa 40-28 from underneath the basket.

UP NEXT:

The Spartans will come back home to take on Rollins in another SSC matchup on Saturday, January 7th, at 4:00 PM.

 Original source can be found here.