Tampa Falls To Florida Tech In SSC Semifinals

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team was knocked out of the BlueCross BlueShield of Florida Sunshine State Conference tournament in the semifinals to hosts Florida Tech in a 75-62 decision at the Clemente Center in Melbourne, Fla. Saturday afternoon. The Spartans drop to 21-7 on the season as the Panthers advance to the tournament finals with a record of 23-7.

Playing on its home court, the Florida Tech Panthers jumped out to an early lead in front of its home fans, enjoying as much as an 18 point advantage (36-18) with 4:24 showing on the clock in the first stanza. Jaleesa Harmon and Taja Green cut down FIT's advantage to 13 with a pair of free throw shots and a traditional 3-point play to stand in a 36-23 hole at halftime. Shooting just a 30 percent mark in the first half (6-for-12) compared to the Panthers' 56.7 percent field clip (17-for-30) may have been the defining factor in the first period as just four Tampa participants scored compared to Tech's seven members with points.

Florida Tech began the second half with four points in less than 30 seconds to keep the momentum brewing on its side, courtesy of Defensive Player of the Year Lynisha Nelson and sixth year senior Tamara Dowdell. The Spartans came within 10 points of its opponent (45-35) with 10:30 remaining following a layup from Green but would never be able to make a break-through into the single digits as a jumper from Dowdell and a made 3-point shot from Ashton McClairen extinguished any Tampa come back.

Tampa scored just 23 points in the first half marking the second lowest scoring half of the year next to the game versus Valdosta State back in November. Florida Tech clipped the Spartans on the boards taking a 26-to-16 advantage in the slot. A sloppy game for both teams was evident as the Spartans turned the ball over a total of 24 times while forcing the Panthers into 18 changes of possession. FIT also edged Tampa in shooting hitting 50.0 percent of shots while limiting the best 3-point field goal percentage team to just a 23.5 percent mark.

Jaleesa Harmon who fouled out of the game with 10 minutes to play in the second stanza led the Spartans in scoring, recording 14 points and a team-best seven rebounds. Green added 13 points and six boards in the match-up as Gianna Messina was good for 12 points, a pair of assists, one block and a team-high four steals. Freshman Player of the Year Lindsey Watson added eight points and two assists to the board as well in 36 minutes of action.

"I give Tech a lot of credit for the win- they defended very well and never allowed us to get into a flow," said head coach Tom Jessee. "This year we are known for our offensive capabilities, but like I have been stressing, it is the defensive team's that advance in tournament and post season competition," adds Jessee.

The Spartans now await the fate of conference tournament play where the team will see if and where they will sit in the South Regional rankings for an opportunity to compete in the NCAA tournament.