Spartans Get Back in Winning Column With Win Over Eckerd

TAMPA, Fla. - Despite a career high 40 points by Eckerd's Gabby Gattuso, The University of Tampa women's basketball team recorded a 74-64 victory over the Tritons. The Spartans improve to 19-7 on the season and 11-4 in the Sunshine State Conference. The Tritons fall to 6-20 on the season and 1-14 in league play.

The Spartans led the entire way as four of their five starters registered double figures in scoring. It took UT just over six minutes to take a 19-3 lead, which was too much for the Tritons to overcome.

DeShaydia Mackey led the Spartans with a team-high 20 points on 5-11 shooting from the field. Mackey also hit 7-7 free throws and notched three assists and two steals.

Tiara Cook, who started her second career game due to the absence of Erica Woodard, matched career highs with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Nine of her 13 boards were offensive as she also recorded two blocked shots.

Sheena Walton also scored 16 points and Alexa Kane turned in 13. Kane, who grabbed 10 rebounds, joined Cook as the two Spartans to record double-doubles.

Walton also recorded her 1,000th point and 250th career blocked shot in the game. She becomes one of 14 Spartan players to reach the scoring milestone. She ranks behind only Jessie McDowell on the UT all-time blocks list as McDowell recorded 326 from 1999-2003.

The Spartans conclude the 2006-07 regular season on Saturday as they host Nova Southeastern. Game time is scheduled for 4 p.m. The game will be televised as part of a CSTV/NCAA Webcast on cstv.com.