Men's Basketball | 1/25/2019 12:43:00 PM

MIAMI SHORES, Fla.—Both the men's and women's basketball teams will host Tampa on Saturday in another Sunshine State Conference showdown. After Saturday, both Buccaneer teams have 10 games remaining this season in which all are SSC matchups. Every game will be crucial to earning home court during the first round of the SSC Tournament and earning a spot among the top-eight teams in the South Region. The SSC tournament will begin Wednesday, March 6th.

Women's Basketball - Saturday, Jan 30; 5:30 pm; Cesar Odio Court in the Health & Sports Center

The Bucs (7-10, 5-5 SSC) are coming off a three-game winning streak where they have been led by a two-headed attack from guards Ida Andersson and Nichel Tampa. In the last three games, Andersson is averaging 21 points per game on 46 percent shooting. She has gone 13-for-29 (45 percent) from three while averaging 2.1 steals per game.Tampa is averaging 16.7 points per game on 43 percent shooting while pulling down 5.0 rebounds per game and 4.3 steals per game. 

The Spartans (13-4, 7-3 SSC) have also won three-straight after taking down Eckerd 71-66 and earning sole possession of second place in the SSC standings. UT has being doing it all season with their defense. Currently, Tampa is allowing 51.8 points per game and holding opponent to 34 percent shooting, leading the SSC in both categories. The Bucs dropped their first matchup of the season against the Spartans on the road 69-56 back on December 1st. 

Men's Basketball - Saturday, Jan 30; 7:30 pm; Cesar Odio Court in the Health & Sports Center

The men's team is coming off a fourth consecutive loss for the first time ever under Bucs head coach Butch Estes. Barry fell to Lynn on Wednesday night in Boca Raton when the Knights snuck in a layup with 0.5 remaining in the game. 

The slump for the Bucs is largely due to poor free throw shooting and turnovers, two recipes for disaster. During the four game stretch, Barry is shooting 63 percent from the free throw line and committing 17.5 turnovers per game. Daniel Mortensen leads the team with 14.2 points per game and is shooting 45 percent from three-point range. 

The Spartans (9-9, 3-7 SSC) are also coming off a fourth straight loss at the hands of Eckerd on Wednesday night. The Spartans are led by senior forward Anthony Gamble who enters the weekend averaging 17.4 points per game. Currently, Gamble ranks fourth among all SSC players. The Bucs and Spartans had a date in Tampa back in December where Barry had four players reach double-figures going on to win 83-71. Mortensen had a game-high 23 points on 6-for-8 shooting from downtown. For the Spartans, Gamble struggled going 4-for-13 from the field with 11 points.