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ROD GIPSONTurnovers and fouls cost Spartans in 49-47 loss to Florida Southern.
TAMPA - Despite maintaining a lead for most of the second half, late turnovers and fouls doomed Tampa on Wednesday night, helping Florida Southern take a 49-47 win at the Bob Martinez Sports Center.
Florida Southern (19-6, 10-2 Sunshine State) led 32-30 early in the second half before UT's Earnest Williams and Achille Ngounou heated up and led the Spartans (15-12, 6-8) on a 10-4 run.
After rallying to take the lead, then losing it again, the Moccasins trailed until Chris Brooks hit two free throws with 35 seconds left for a 48-47 lead.
UT's ensuing possession ended when Florida Southern's Reggie Richardson stole Kevin Byrd's pass and was fouled as he attempted to shoot. After he hit a free throw, the Spartans still had time for a potential winning shot.
But Tampa missed three last-second shots to lose to FSC for the fourth straight time and fifth in their past six meetings.
"Our kids gutted it out," UT coach Richard Schmidt said. "We played hard but we needed to execute a few times when it counted, and we didn't."
UT spent most of the second half without leading scorer James Mereus, who was in foul trouble. Mereus, who led the Spartans with 11 points despite playing 20 minutes, fouled out late. Ngounou and Williams each scored nine for UT.
FSC's Chris Brooks led all scorers with 18. The Moccasins also received eight points each from Hurley Dunbar and Ellery Boykin.