Spartans Defeat the Fighting Knights #Winning

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: University of Tampa 77, Lynn University 59 
Records: Spartans (7-1, SSC 3-1), Fighting Knights (2-6, SSC 0-4)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all time series over the Fighting Kinghts, 40-9.
Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Vimeo

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | Tampa was awarded the jump ball, but Lynn managed to be first on the board. The Spartans quickly retaliated sinking two foul shots by junior Staja Tyghter. The Fighting Knights maintained the lead for the entire first quarter. Sophomore Rachel Warden ended it with a buzzer-beater lay-up, but Tampa still trailed 20-15.

2nd Quarter | The Spartans started the second with a layup by Lauren Kotey. About three minutes into the quarter, Tampa took the lead for the first time in the game after a three-point jumper by Warden. UT kept the lead for the remainder of the half heading into halftime with a score of 43-31. Warden led Tampa with 11 points, while Karma Jeremie had eight points and four assists. Tyghter led the team defensively with four rebounds, eight points, and three assists.

3rd Quarter | Coming out of the locker room, Lynn scored the first basket. Shortly after, Warden scored the first three of the second half for UT, ending the quarter 5-7 from behind the arc. As the clock ran out, the Spartans sustained their lead over the Fighting Knights 59-41.

4th Quarter | The first points of the fourth were scored by the Fighting Knights. However, right after they scored, Faith Sanders sank a foul shot. Following Sanders free throw, Warden drained her sixth three of the game, securing Tampa's lead 63-42. Tampa kept the lead for the rest of the game ending with a final score of 77-59.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Rachel Warden was the leading point scorer with 23 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
• Lauren Kotey was the second leading point score for Tampa with 14 points and seven rebounds.
• Karma Jeremie and Staja Tyghter led the team defensively with eight rebounds each.
• As a team, the Spartans shot 50 percent from beyond the arc compared to the Trojans who shot 33 percent.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Rachel Warden had two career highs in a single game with 23 points and seven three-point jumpers.
• Lauren Kotey had a career high in points with 14.

UP NEXT:
UT will continue their 2017-18 season as they host Valdosta State on Wednesday, December 6. The game is slated to start at 5:30 p.m.  Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.