Tampa Falls in NCAA South Regional

FORT MYERS, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team saw its season come to an end with a 64-57 loss to 18th-ranked Valdosta State University in the first round of the NCAA South Regional, which was hosted by Florida Gulf Coast University. The Spartans conclude the season with an overall record of 23-8, which was good for the program's first back-to-back 20-win seasons. The Blazers advance with a record of 24-6.

Tampa came out strong, beginning the game on a 7-2 run. The Blazers battled back, where they took their first lead of the game at 16-14 with 8:59 remaining in the first half. UT, who led 20-18 with 7:37 to go until the half, allowed Valdosta State to go on a 13-6 run to take a 31-26 lead to intermission.

The Spartans came out slow in the second half, making just one of its first 11 field goal attempts to begin the half. The Blazers capitalized to take a 43-30 lead with 11:42 remaining in regulation as UT scored just four points in the first nine minutes of the half. The uphill battle proved to be too much to overcome, though the Spartans did get within five points on two occasions under the 10:00 mark.

"I give credit to Valdosta State and their defense, which is ranked number two in the country," says Tampa head coach Tom Jessee. "We just had too many missed free throws and turnovers. I thought their bench was the difference and I would like to give credit to them and their defense."

Valdosta State, who shot 50 percent from the field, also connected on 6-12 three-point attempts in the game. The Blazers also displayed their depth as the VSU bench outscored UT's by a mark of 28-5.

Tampa was led by DeShaydia Mackey, who scored a team-high 19 points while hitting four three-pointers. Mackey also led the team with three assists while playing all 40 minutes.

Alexa Kane chipped in 15 points while Sheena Walton added 10. The duo also held team honors with seven rebounds apiece while Walton also registered three blocked shots.