Spartans Gamble Pays Off Big

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's basketball team defeated the Florida Tech Panthers in a very decisive 96-66 win. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 96, Florida Tech 66
Records: Tampa (7-3, 2-1 SSC), Florida Tech (7-4, 3-2 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa now owns the all-time series record 52-23.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Half | Tampa and Florida Tech traded leads for the majority of the first half. The Panthers were on the board first with a jumper. Sophomore Anthony Gamble retailiated with a three point jumper that would open the floodgates on his record-setting game. UT took the final lead change at the six-minute mark on a layup by Gamble. Freshman Mekhi Biffle sparked the offense with a deep three point jumper, which was then followed by back-to-back three pointers from Gamble again. Freshman Brent Duncan came off the bench to contribute a rebound and a layup to solidify the first half score at 42-35, Spartan advantage. Gamble led all Spartans in the first half with 20 points. Freshman Biffle was the second leading point scorer in the first half with 11 points.     

2nd Half | The Spartans hit the board first on a layup from senior Austin Rettig. The Panthers started to close in on the Spartan lead, making it only an eight point spread with just over 17 minutes left in the game. After a layup from junior Duke Shelton, the Spartans' offense took off. The Spartans went up by as many as 16 points on a three point jumper by sophomore Freddy Ibrahim. The Panthers offense struggled to keep up with Tampa, as they increased their lead to as many as 30 on a Duncan layup with just under three minutes left in the game. The Spartans ended the game on a three point jumper from sophomore John Whitaker, as he recorded his first points as a Spartan.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tampa shot 52 percent from beyond the arc compared to the Panthers 43 percent. 
• Gamble led all Spartans with a career high 32 points.
• Biffle was the second leading point scorer with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists.
• Senior Matt Johnson had a season high 11 assists.
• UT had four players finish with double-digit points.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Gamble set the University of Tampa record for three point attempts in a game with 22, and tied the school record for three point shots made in a game with 10.
• Biffle posted his first double-double as a Spartan.

UP NEXT:
Tampa returns to action on Sunday, December 18th when they host Lane at 5:30 p.m. Live stats will be available through TampaStats.com.

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