The University of Tampa men’s basketball team will be forced to rebound from a 67-54 loss handed to them by the West Florida Argonauts. The loss drops UT to 3-1, as it propels UWF to 4-0. Tampa started off hot as they went up 7-0 quickly on the Argonauts within two minutes of the tip off.

With 14:30 left in the first half West Florida had overtaken the lead. The half ended with the Argonauts up 35-33.

Within less than seven minutes of the second half the Argonauts had extended the two point lead to double digits.

UT closed the margin to five points, but this was the closet the Spartans got. With two minutes left in the contest UWF rallied to extend the lead to 67-54.’
During the second half the Spartans found themselves in foul trouble, as starting forward

Fred Woods fouled out, Rashad Callaway and Rudy Jean were able to finish the contest with four fouls apiece.

‘Fouls have been a problem,’ said head coach Richard Schmidt, ‘we have to be better.’
Callaway led the game with 21 points, 12 of which came from shots he sunk behind the arch. Callaway also led the Spartans with seven rebounds. Johnathan Ball added to the Spartans total with 14 points.

Although the Spartans dropped the ball in the matchup the season does look promising, as they have posted a 3-1 record thus far.

‘We played three good games and one bad one,’ stated Schmidt.

Injuries have plagued UT and forced them to reorganize immensely. Sophomore Glyn Hunter has had to learn to play wing with Junior Anthony LaBruno being injured.

LaBruno was forced to miss the game against UWF and will likely miss at least one more with a separated shoulder. Also Sophomore Matt Tomaszewski has been sick. Rudy Jean has also been slowed by injuries. Schmidt believes that UT will be able to compete if everyone is able to get healthy and stay healthy.

Inexperience is extremely prevalent for the Spartans. Only two men on the team have any playing experience. ‘Rashad [Callaway], JB [Johnathan Ball], and Fred [Woods] have pleased me thus far,’ Schmidt said.

Schmidt was also impressed with the shooting of his team in the first three match-ups.
UT will be back in action, on the road, on Dec 6 as they take on the 4-4 Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish.

Kyle Bennett can be contacted at kbennett@ut.edu

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