Spartans Come Up Just Short Against Eckerd

TAMPA, Fla. – The Spartans battled down to the final buzzer but ultimately fell in a close Sunshine State Conference matchup to the Eckerd Tritons.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Eckerd 77, Tampa 76
Records: Tampa (10–10, 4–9 SSC), Eckerd (11–10, 5–9 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half
Eckerd won the opening tip, but Tampa quickly got on the board as Camden McCormick scored off a Trent Scott steal. The pace quickly picked up, with Trey Lane knocking down a three-pointer to push Tampa ahead. Kyler Lamb made an impact in the paint, adding a quick steal and basket of his own, followed by a Cole Gingeleski slam at the rim. Lane and McCormick each connected from beyond the arc, while Justin Taylor added a three of his own. B.J. Schaeffer worked inside as Taylor capped the half with another three to send the Spartans into the break leading 39–29.

Second Half
Trey Lane opened the second half with a pair of free throws as Eckerd worked to chip away at the Spartan lead. The Tritons' offense came out firing, keeping the contest tight. Ryan Blount stepped up on both ends of the floor, scoring on a pair of layups and converting an and-one to tie the game. Eckerd continued to battle defensively, slowing Tampa's offense. A late Spartan push led by Taylor, Blount, and Lane brought Tampa within reach in the final minutes. A deep three from Trey Lane at the buzzer capped the game, but the Spartans ultimately fell 77–76.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Ryan Blount: 21 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast
• Justin Taylor: 16 pts, 8 reb
• Trey Lane: 15 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 4 stl
• Camden McCormick: 11 pts, 2 reb, 4 ast, 2 stl
• Trent Scott: 4 pts, 3 ast, 2 stl
• B.J. Schaeffer: 2 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl
• Cole Gingeleski: 2 pts, 5 reb

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 38% (26–69)
• Three-Point Percentage: 35% (9–26)
• Free Throws: 71% (15–21)
• Rebounds: 34
• Bench Points: 22 (29%)
• Points in the Paint: 28 (37%)
• Points off Turnovers: 17 (21%)
• Fast Break Points: 19 (25%)

UP NEXT

Tampa returns to action at the Bob Martinez Center this Saturday, February 7th at 4 p.m. as the Spartans host Embry-Riddle. Tampa will then head back on the road for a matchup at Barry on Wednesday, February 11th at 7:30 p.m.