TAMPA, Fla. — Florida Southern men's basketball (15-5, 7-3 Sunshine State) defeated Tampa (10-7, 4-6 Sunshine State) 84-76 on Wednesday night at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center. The visitors secured the victory with a strong second half, fueled by 42 points in the paint and 11 steals.
"Tonight was a huge win especially since we have struggled on the road," stated Moccasins' head coach
Mike Donnelly. "It wasn't the prettiest win, but I'm proud of our focus and effort tonight. The guys made winning plays on both ends of the floor. Now, we need to shift our focus and prepare for another big game on Saturday against Lynn."
Florida Southern started the first half with a strong defensive presence, quickly capitalizing on turnovers to gain an early edge.
Jasir Tremble and
Amare Miller combined for early baskets, establishing a 4-0 lead. The visitors maintained momentum with a series of successful possessions, including a three-pointer by Tremble at 15:06, pushing their lead to 14-9.
As the half progressed, the Moccasins consistently pressured the Spartans, capitalizing on their defensive lapses.
Brady Corso's three-pointer at 6:32 extended the lead to 29-25. Despite Tampa's attempts to close the gap, the Mocs maintained control, ending the half with
Spencer Schomers' layup, which secured a 41-35 advantage.
Florida Southern opened the second half with a strong defensive effort, capitalizing on turnovers and scoring quickly in transition. Tremble was instrumental, scoring a layup and a jumper in quick succession, contributing significantly to a 60–43 lead by the 12:37 mark. The team maintained momentum with a series of successful shots, extending their advantage.
Despite Tampa's attempts to cut the deficit with key 3-pointers, FSC maintained control through consistent defensive stops and quick scoring responses. Miller contributed notably in the paint and from beyond the arc, helping seal a 43–41 half advantage. The half concluded with the Moccasins leading 84–76, showcasing effective offensive and defensive play.
Tremble led the team, recording his first career double-double, with a career-high 23 points and a career-high 10 assists. Corso contributed 20 points, converting five 3-pointers and collecting eight rebounds. Miller finished with 18 points and recorded 10 rebounds.
Elijah Walsh made an impact on defense with two steals and added three assists.
In their next game, Florida Southern will host Lynn at George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Florida. The matchup is set for Saturday, Jan. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
