Mindy TuckerChris King had 20 points, and Chris Evans added 16 points and 10 rebounds, but it was not enough for the University of Tampa men’s basketball team (9-9, 1-5 SSC) who fell 62-61 to the Lynn University Fighting Knights (13-4, 5-1 SSC) in double overtime on Saturday night.
Down one point with just seconds left to go in the second overtime, Lynn’s Tyler Emmons dribbled to the right corner of the court and hit a leaning jump shot at the buzzer over the outstretched arm of King.
“It’s a tough one to swallow,” King said after the loss. “I had my hand in his [Emmons] face on the last shot. I don’t think there was anything else I could do.”
Lynn found themselves down by one point with 19 seconds left in double overtime, but the Fighting Knights’ full court press forced a turnover from Jeremy Black that enabled them to take the last shot.
Tampa trailed for much of the game, falling behind by as many as 13 points, before Matt Pezzullo (seven points, three assists) hit a long three point shot that tied the score at 43 with five seconds remaining in regulation. Pezzullo received a pass from Jeffrey Moore and knocked down the three-pointer to send the game into overtime.
Pezzullo was not available for overtime after suffering an injury on the last defensive possession in regulation.
“When Matt turned his ankle it was crucial point in the game,” said Tampa coach Richard Schmidt. “He’s a good rebounder, and we could have used him in overtime.”
Tampa was also without starter Jeff James for much of the first overtime and all of the second overtime. James was thrown out of the game for a flagrant foul.
Tampa has now lost five of their last six games, shooting 37 percent from the field in the six game span.
“We have been hitting shots in practice,” King said. “We are still progressing as a team. I think we have a lot of time to improve before the conference tournament.”
The Spartans return to action on Saturday, Jan. 27 when they head to Fort Lauderdale to face Nova Southeastern.