MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Junior forward Tylan Birts put his finger prints all over a 72-61 Buccaneer victory against the Tampa Spartans at home on Saturday in a much-needed win for Barry. Birts finished the game with 20 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and two blocks. The Florida City native rattled down the rim several times throughout the contest giving the Buccaneers a boost of energy that will surely be needed down the stretch. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final:  Tampa 62, Barry 71
Records: Barry 11-7, 6-5 SSC, Tampa 9-10, 3-8 SSC
All-Time Series: Tampa leads 29-44

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING:

"We stayed focus. We stayed locked in," Birts said post game. "We've been battling a lot of adversity lately. For us, anyone can step up at any moment. We don't have any selfish guys in the locker room. Everyone is pulling for each other," Birts added. The Buccaneers snapped a four-game losing streak with the win over the Spartans and will host the Sunshine State Conference leader Nova Southeastern on Wednesday.  

"Finishing has been a problem for us," Bucs head coach Butch Estes said. "Of the four games we lost [before tonight], we had two of them won, but came up short because we didn't finish. So it feels really good to get the job done tonight," Estes added. Birts has recorded two double-doubles in the last four games and is averaging 13.2 points per game in that span. "[It's important] to get someone else besides Daniel Mortensen to do that. I thought Ty was outstanding today," Estes said.  

SUMMARY:

• The Bucs made an emphasis all week to attack the basket and get to the free throw line. They did just that in the first half going 9-for-12 from the charity stripe. 
• Neither team was able to create much distance on the scoreboard from the other through the first 20 minutes. The Bucs defense really turned up the heat in the second half holding the Spartans under 30 percent and forcing 10 turnovers. 
• The Bucs continued to go inside against UT in the second half with 24-of-their-38 points coming in the paint.

NOTEWORTHY:

• Four of the Bucs' starters reached double-figures against UT.
• Evan Walshe finished the game with 17 points on 6-for-10 shooting. It is the highest scoring performance since January 2nd against Embry-Riddle.
• The Bucs were able to convert 17-of-22 attempts from the free throw line (77 percent). That is the first time Barry shoots over 76 percent as a team since January 2nd against Embry-Riddle. 

ON THE HORIZON:

The Bucs stay at home Wednesday when cross town rival Nova Southeastern heads on down to the Shores.The Sharks (16-1) are currently ranked fifth in the country. Tip-off is set for 7:30 pm.