Spartans Prove Dominance Over Warriors

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: University of Tampa 82, Southern Wesleyan 65
Records: Spartans (9-2), Warriors (1-7)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: This was the first meeting between the Spartans and the Warriors, Tampa now leads the all-time series 1-0. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | After Faith Sanders was the first player to score on a jump shot, the Warriors jumped out to an early lead over the Spartans. The Warriors maintained a four point lead for the marjority of the first quarter until Lauren Kotey made a layup right before the buzzer, giving the Spartans a one point advantage heading into the second quarter. Rachel Warden led all Spartans in the opening quarter with six points. Kotey led the defense with three rebounds. 

2nd Quarter | The Warriors wasted no time playing catch up as they tied the score 23-23 to open the second quarter. Aliyah Abney recorded her first points of the game on a jump shot putting the Spartans up by four points. Both teams remained scoreless until the Spartans fouled Southern Wesleyan, sending a Warrior to the line for two free throw shots. The Warriors closed in on the Spartans lead as they came within one point with 2:31 left on the clock. The Spartans scored after Emily Eshoo hit a jumper making the score 36-32 heading into half time. Abney was the second quarter leading scorer for the Spartans with four points. 

3rd Quarter | Kotey was the first athlete on the floor to score in the third quarter on a layup. Warden then hit a three pointer that would put the Spartans up by their largest lead of 11 points. The Warriors continued to collect points but not enough to catch the Spartans as they continued to increase the deficit. The Spartans led by 26 heading into the fourth quarter. Staja Tyghter was the major point scorer for the Spartans in the third quarter as she recorded eight points. 

4th Quarter | Despite the Warriors scoring first to open the fourth quarter, the Spartans offense continued in a similar fashion. Griffin Dempsey hit a deep three pointer that increased the Spartans lead even more. The Warriors attempted to close in on the Spartans lead but came up short, with the final score of 82-65. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Kotey was the leading point scorer with 16 points, seven rebounds, and one assist.
• Warden was the second leading point scorer with 15 points and four rebounds. 
• As a team, the Spartans shot 55.2% from the free throw line.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Kotey recorded a career high in points in a single game with 16 and tied her career high for rebounds with seven.
• All Spartans participated in the victory over the Warriors.
• Julia Ingram tied her career high for points for the Spartans. 

UP NEXT:
The Tampa Classic tournament will continue tomorrow, December 19th starting at 12 pm. The Spartans will take the court at 2 pm against Malone University. Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.