The University of Tampa men’s basketball team suffered two more conference losses last week, losing to Nova Southeastern and Lynn.
With the losses, the Spartans fell to 9-11 with a 3-8 SSC record.
The Spartans began their week by traveling to Fort Lauderdale Feb. 3 to face Nova Southeastern in SSC play.
Tampa never led during the game, as NSU jumped out to a 50-40 halftime lead. The Sharks never relented and sent UT below the .500 mark for the season by a 97-88 score.
Junior Rashad Callaway led the Spartans with 25 points, nine assists and three steals.
Senior Anthony LaBruno chipped in with 22 points while senior Mounir Benzegala returned to the team and scored 15. UT was outshot, however, 56.4 to 47.5 percent.
The Spartans returned home following the setback and set their sights on Lynn.
The first half was a close affair, with Lynn leading by as many as nine points during play. Still, UT hung onto a 40-36 lead heading into the break. Callaway, Callum Townsend and LaBruno each had 10 points at the break.
UT led by as many as nine points in the second half, but the Fighting Knights battled back and held a 76-72 lead with 39 seconds left. The Spartans were able to tie the game when Rashad Callaway drained four free throws in the final minute to send the game to overtime.
Lynn scored early and often in overtime, never trailing. An 8-2 run sealed the deal for the Fighting Knights, who went on to win 91-85. Lynn improved its record to 12-10, 6-5 in the SSC with the victory.
Callaway was just 6-20 from the floor and 0-4 from three-point range, but shot 14-17 from the foul line to amass a game-high 26 points. Callaway also led all players with three steals.
Townsend posted a double-double off the bench with 21 points and 12 rebounds while LaBruno contributed 18 points. Lynn had two 20-point scorers, as Chris Hall scored 22 and Jovan Robinson turned in 20.
The loss is UT’s eighth straight defeat in conference play after a 3-0 start.
“Unfortunately, our defense and rebounding is subpar,” assistant coach Justin Pecka said. “The lack of rebounding allows our opponents second chance points.”
Both Pecka and head coach Richard Schmidt have recently cited the loss of Mounir Benzegala during winter break as another reason for the team’s struggles. In 14 games and 12 starts this season, Benzegala has averaged 10.6 points and 26.7 minutes per game.
Despite returning against NSU, he played only six minutes and turned in one assist in the overtime loss to Lynn.
As the team continues its trek through conference play, it’s about staying focused and getting back on track.
“These guys know what they have to do to win,” Pecka said. “It’s just a matter of executing.”
The Spartans play two away games before returning home Wednesday, Feb. 17.
UT will take on Eckerd at 7:30 p.m. at the Martinez Center.