Spartans Battle For Win Against Conference Champions Florida Southern

Box score

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team (17-8, SSC 10-6) slid by conference champs Florida Southern (23-4, SSC 11-4) with a final score of 71-69 at the Bob Martinez Athletic Center Wednesday night.

Tampa started the game off strong with a three-point shot from Ryan Kidd and a dunk by Eric Moraes leading the Spartans to three straight scoring possessions.

Trading baskets for the majority of the game, the No. 12 ranked Moccasins took off on an 8-0 run leaving the Spartans trailing behind 23-32. With 1:31 left, Da'Markco Foster went to the line and sparked a five- point offensive run earning him 13 points at the half.

Junior guard Jordan Davis concluded the first period with a three-point buzzer beater narrowing the margin to 31-33. Davis also had 10 rebounds.

The drive did not stop there with Foster regaining the lead at the top of the second half with a three-point shot. Once again both teams swapped possessions with the Spartans shooting 60 percent from the field.

The down to the wire contest was tied nine times while leads alternated 15 different times. The victory ends Tampa's 13 game losing streak to Florida Southern.

Davis ended the game with a double-double, including 16 points and a career-high 17 rebounds. Foster concluded the win with a game-high 22 points.

The Spartans will travel to West Palm Beach, Fla. to face the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish for Tampa's last regular season game. The Spartans trumped the Sailfish 72-68 earlier this season.

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