Spartans Silence Lions Roar in Decisive Road Win

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: University of Tampa 75, Saint Leo 50 
Records: Spartans (6-1, SSC 2-1), Lions (1-6, SSC 0-3)
Location: Marion Bowman Activities Center | Saint Leo, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series record over the Lions, 79-16.   
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | The Spartan offense was sparked after tip off when junior transfer Staja Tyghter hit a deep three pointer assisted by Rachel Warden. Faith Sanders then got in on the action after she drained a three pointer of her own assisted by Karma Jeremie. Tampa jumped out to an early 10-2 lead with six minutes left in the quarter. The Spartan offense never slowed as they led 19-11 heading into the second quarter. Sanders led all Spartans with five first quarter points. 

2nd Quarter | Both teams remained scoreless for the opening three minutes of the second quarter until Tyghter struck again, this time on a layup. A layup by Lauren Kotey would put the Spartans up by 15 points with four minutes left in the second quarter. The Lions offense was stifled by the Spartans as they continued to increase their lead. Aliyah Abney scored the last points of the second quarter on a jumper making the score 37-21 heading into halftime. 

3rd Quarter | The third quarter started out much like the first two, with Tyghter scoring back-to-back layups for the Spartans. Tampa continued their offensive prowess while the Lions offense did not answer. The Spartans would lead by as many as 23 points heading into the final quarter.  

4th Quarter | The Lions scored first to open the fourth quarter on a deep three pointer. However, the Spartans retaiiated with back-to-back baskets from Jeremie and Sanders, respectively. Julia Ingram came in the game to tally her first minutes as a Spartan. The Lions could not tame the Spartans offense as Ingram ended the game draining a three pointer to make the final score 75-50.  

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Staja Tyghter was the leading point scorer for Tampa with 16. She also tallied 8 rebounds.
• Jeremie notched a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. She also recorded four assists and one steal.
• As a team, the Spartans shot 54.9 percent from the field compared to the Lions who shot 32.1 percent.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:. 

• Jeremie recorded her first double-double of the season against the Lions.

UP NEXT:
UT will continue their 2017-18 season against the Lynn University Knights on Saturday, December 2. The game is slated to start at 2:00 p.m.  Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.