Spartans Upset No.4 Panthers In Weekend Action

MELBOURNE, Fla. - The University of Tampa Spartans battled the No. 4 Drury University Panthers Saturday night and emerged victorious by a score 72-61.

Tampa looked to take the fight to the Drury as they shot out to an early 20-9 lead after the first quarter of action, and would never look back as they held their lead the entire contest. UT would eventually take a 40-24 lead into the half, leading by as many as 18 at several points in the half. 

The Panthers would not go easy into the night as they came out firing on all cylinders in the second half, as they trimmed the Spartans lead getting as close as five points at one point. Tampa would regain its composure and eventually extend their lead back to 14 by the end of the period. 

Offensively, UT shot 23-41 putting up 56 field goal percentage and shot 4-9 from the perimeter. The Spartans had four players in double figures as Elena de Alfredo led all scorers with her 17 points and team-high three assists. Also tallying double-digit numbers was Ellen Nurmi with 14, Juliana Cavallaro 13, and Angela Alvarez, who posted a double-double notching 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Defensively, Tampa held the Drury to just 5-18 from behind the arc and outworked DU on the boards outrebounding them 32-25. Leading the battle was Alvarez, who led all players with 10 rebounds. The Spartans neutralized All-American threat, Annie Armstrong, as she shot just 4-14, and 0-4 from three-point land.

Following the victory UT improves to 5-6 on the season, Tampa returns to action Sunday squaring off against Fort Valley State, tipoff is set for 2:30 PM ET. Live stats will be available for fans to follow along at home via Tampaspartans.com.

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