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Spartans Beat Lions Behind Evans' 3-Pointers

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By MATT POSTINS, Tribune correspondent

Published: January 10, 2008

TAMPA - Chris Evans looks like a big man at 6-foot-8, but when his shooting touch is on, he can beat a team from anywhere - including the 3-point line.

Evans hit three 3-pointers at a crucial point in the second half for the University of Tampa in a 77-67 victory against Saint Leo on Wednesday night at the Bob Martinez Sports Complex. Evans finished with 28 points as the Spartans (9-2, 3-0 SSC) maintained their undefeated record in conference play.

"Some people question why I let Chris play outside a lot, but he's good at that," UT coach Richard Schmidt said.

With the contest tied 36-36 with 16:17 left in the game, Evans poured in a 3 from the baseline. Then, after Saint Leo (6-6, 0-2) guard Dusty Driggs answered to tie the game again, Evans hit another 3 to break the tie.

Two minutes later Evans hit a third, advancing Tampa's lead to 50-41 with 11:37 remaining. The Spartans were able to maintain their lead from there.

Evans rebounded from a 2-for-7 performance from 3-point range in the first half.

"I wasn't following through and my shot selection was outside of our offense in the first half," Evans said.

Jeremy Black added 19 points and 16 rebounds for the Spartans. Johnathan Ball and Rashard Callaway each added 12. The Spartans played without starting guard Chris King, who was out due to a team suspension, Schmidt said. King will not play on Saturday against Florida Tech.

Jordan Prais led Saint Leo with 19 points.

Women

TAMPA 69, SAINT LEO 53: Guard Angela Guiu drained six 3-pointers for the second time in five games, matching her career high, as the Spartans built an early-double digit lead en route to their third Sunshine State Conference victory.

Guiu made four of her 3-pointers in the first half as Tampa (10-2, 3-0 in SSC play) used her outside shooting to loosen up Saint Leo's (7-6, 0-2) 2-3 zone.

"The middle was wide open and we had Angela Woodard up top and she was doing a real good job of getting the ball outside," Guiu said.

Guiu finished with 18 points to lead all scorers.

DeShaydia Mackey pitched in 15 points for UT. Lisa Guerrero led Saint Leo with 14 points.

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