TAMPA, Fla. –
Tyler Collier was one of four Flagler College players to score in double-figures as he finished with a career-high 17 points, but it wasn't enough as the University of Tampa won 84-81 at the Tampa Classic Sunday night at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center.
Tampa improved to 3-6 while Flagler is now 6-7.
Flagler trailed by seven (72-65) with 6:37 left to go in the game and got as close as one point twice, the latter coming on a Collier three-pointer with 2:07 remaining to cut the deficit to 80-79.
Tyson Leitao made a pair of layups to push the Spartan lead to five with a minute left. Collier added a dunk to bring the Saints back to within three (84-81) with 34 seconds to go. De'Andre Harvey missed a pair of free throw attempts which gave Flagler a chance.
Jaylen Lemons had an open three-point shot with two seconds remaining in the game, but the shot fell short.
The game featured nine ties and three lead changes and neither team led by more than eight points. Tampa held a 44-41 lead at the half.
Collier made 6-of-his-9 shots from the field and sank both of his three-point attempts. Lemons finished with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Saints.
Malik Bryant also tallied 17 points and he added four rebounds to go along with four assists.
Omar Figueroa chipped in with 13 points.
Jesse White led five Spartans in double-figures with a game-high 20 points as he was a perfect 6-for-6 from the field, including going 4-for-4 from three-point range and the free throw line. Leitao recorded a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Harvey tacked on 14 points while Jacob Harris finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Yarden Willis contributed 10 points.
Tampa made 16-of-21 from the free throw line.
Flagler will take a break for the holidays and return to the court on Jan. 4 when Columbus State University visits Flagler Gymnasium.
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