Spartans Win Duel With Fighting Knights

BOCA RATON, Fla. –  Coming off its first conference win of the season, the University of Tampa Spartans traveled to Boca Raton to take on the Lynn University Fighting Knights. The Spartans shot 50 percent from the field en route to a 70-59 victory. The Spartans now sit at 8-7 overall and 2-4 in the SSC. Lynn falls to 2-11, and 0-7 in conference play.

Sophomore Karma Jeremie recorded her first career double-double as she posted 10 points and a career high 11 rebounds. Juliana Cavallaro lead UT in scoring as the senior scored 17 points.

Ellen Nurmi and Candace Martino added double figures, scoring 14 and 10 points respectively.

The Lynn Fighting Knights jumped out to an early 8-2 advantage over the Spartans in the opening quarter. Lynn used the long range shot, as they made four three-pointers to take an 18-15 lead after one quarter of play. Shatorria Baker lead the knights, as she made three three-pointers.

The two teams continued to trade baskets in the second quarter, as the Spartans were able to tie the game at 30 with 1:20 left to play in the half. LU made the final points of the half, as they held a 32-30 advantage after the first 20 minutes of play.

Nurmi lead Tampa with 10 first half points, while Angela Alvarez had three rebounds in the opening half.

The Spartans outshot the Fighting Knights in the opening half as they shot 52 percent (13-25) from the field while holding their opponent to 34.5 percent (10-29). Lynn did the damage from three, as they made 55.6 percent (5-9)  of their shots. LU was also a perfect 7-7 from the free-throw line.

At the 7:11 mark, Cavallaro recorded a steal and a layup to tie the game at 36. This would ignite a 10-1 run for Tampa, as they would be up 44-37 with 3:48 left to play in the quarter. Jeremie would score six points in the quarter for UT, including the go ahead basket at the 5:50 mark.

At the 5:20 mark, the Fighting Knights pulled within one point at 51-50 before the Spartans went on a 7-0 run to take a 58-50 lead. Lynn would not be able to close the gap as Tampa earned their second conference victory of the season.  

Tampa would outscore the Knights 40-24 in the paint, and outrebounded their opposition 38-24. The Spartans also held a 20-9 advantage in bench points.

The Spartans will be back in action on Wednesday, as they travel to West Palm Beach to take on the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish. The game is scheduled to start at 5:30 pm.

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