Spartans Conclude Regular Season With Win Over Sailfish

Box score

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The University of Tampa (18-8, 10-6 SSC) men's basketball team defeated Palm Beach Atlantic University (8-18) by a score of 69-65 Saturday afternoon. This match concludes the regular season for the Spartans.

Tampa began the game with a 9-0 run, until Clayton Williams of the Sailfish hit a layup to spark an offensive flow. Amongst tying the game four times, both teams stayed within striking distance of each other as leads alternated. The Spartans entered the locker room down by one, after a PBA knocked down a basket from downtown with eight seconds remaining.

Jordan Davis led all scorers at the half with 10 points, while the team outscored PBA 22-14 in the paint.

The second period was very similar to the first in the sense that the teams were equally matched from the field. The leads once again ping ponged, as no one managed to set a favorable pace that would allow for a large lead. The Sailfish led by five with three minutes left in regulation. Davis brought UT within two points after connecting on a three-pointer, followed by a free throw by Matt Johnson to shrink the margin to one. A dunk by Ryan Kidd with less than two minutes to go solidified Tampa's victory, as the Spartans made necessary free throws when the Sailfish opted to foul.

Three Spartans scored in double figures; Davis finished the game with 18 points and seven rebounds. Shooting 6-of-8 from the field, Eric Moraes tallied 17 points, while Matt Johnson added 12.

Tampa will participate in the 2014 Sunshine State Conference tournament starting Mar. 5th in Kissimmee, Fla., at the Silver Spurs Arena.

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