Spartans Reel in Win Over Sailfish

TAMPA, Fla.  – The University of Tampa women's basketball team travelled to West Palm Beach to take on the Sailfish and came from behind to win 69-62. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa 69, Palm Beach 62  
Records: Spartans (13-4, 8-2 SSC), Sailfish (6-11, 2-8 SSC)
Location: Greene Sports Center | West Palm Beach, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series record over the Sailfish 19-3.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | The Sailfish opened up the game with a layup to give them the first lead. But junior Faith Sanders did not let any time pass before she put up a layup of her own. PBA sunk a three pointer which put them out to an early lead. The Sailfish made back-to-back baskets that would give them their largest lead of the game. Junior Karma Jeremie retaliated with a layup that would stifle the small PBA run. The Spartans came within one point of the Sailfish, but then PBA took off again going on a 6-0 run. The Sailfish led 17-14 heading into the second quarter. Jeremie led all Spartans with eight points. 

2nd Quarter | The Sailfish opened up second quarter much like they did the first, with back-to-back jumpers. Senior Jenny Horvatinovic was the first Spartan to score with a deep three pointer which was followed by a jumper from senior Elena de Alfredo. The Sailfish offense was dominant as they get the Spartans scoreless for nearly two minutes while they went on a 10-0 run. Junior Griffin Dempsey ended the drought for the Spartans as she hit a three pointer that would bring the Sailfish lead down to nine points. Sanders turned it up with a layup that would trigger a 10-0 run for the Spartans and their first lead of the game, 34-33, heading in to half time.

3rd Quarter | Horvatinovic came out of half time sinking a three pointer followed by a layup from Jeremie. The Sailfish were energized coming out of half time as they scored back-to-back baskets to close in on the Spartans lead. The Sailfish came within one point of UT on a layup. But Sanders caught rhythm and could not be stopped as she recorded 10 points in the third quarter alone. The Spartans led 51-49 heading into the final quarter. 

4th Quarter | Sanders struck again on a layup as she was the first player to score in the fourth quarter. The Spartans increased their advantage to ten points after a deep three pointer from de Alfredo followed by a Horvatinoic layup. PBA ended the Spartans run a layup followed by a three point shot that would bring the Sailfish within seven points. Sanders made her presence known again on another layup that would be the basket that would solidify her new personal best for points. The Sailfish made an effort at closing in on the Spartans lead but they came up short. UT went on to win 69-62. After this victory, head coach Tom Jessee will only need one more win to reach 300 wins at the University of Tampa.  

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Sanders was the leading point scorer with 23 points. 
• Jeremie was the second leading point scorer with 19 points and eight rebounds. 
• As a team, the Spartans shot 52 percent from the field. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Sanders set a new career high for points with 23. 
• Three Spartans scored in double figures.  

UP NEXT:
UT will travel to Nova Southeastern University on Wednesday January 25 for a 5:30 pm matchup. Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.

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