Spartans Leave Alaska Undefeated

FAIRBANKS, Alaska - The University of Tampa women's basketball advances their overall record to 5-0 after defeating the University of Alaska-Fairbanks 67-49. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa Spartans 67, Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks 49

Records: Tampa (5-0), Alaska-Fairbanks (3-3)

Location: Alaska Airlines Court || Fairbanks, Alaska 

All-Time Series: This marks the first-ever meeting between the Division II opponents.


HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | The starting five for the Spartans included Staja Tyghter, Kris Nelson, Dori Nagy, Emily Eshoo, and Lauren Kotey. Eshoo put the Spartans on the board first quickly followed by back-to-back baskets from Kotey. Tampa continued to dominate both offensively and defensively and led the Nannooks at the first media timeout 17-4.  At the end of the first quarter, Nagy led the Spartans offensively with eight points and three assists. UT ended the first quarter on top of Alaska-Fairbanks 27-9. 

2nd Quarter | Tampa extended its lead to 45-13 at the conclusion of the half. The Spartans continued to have a dominant performance, shooting 58.1 percent from the field compared to Alaska-Fairbanks 13.9 percent. The Spartans also outrebounded the Nanooks 29 to 18. Entering the locker room for halftime, Lauren Kotey led all Spartans with 10 points, Nagy led Tampa in rebounds with nine, while Staja Tyghterled the team in assists with four.  

3rd Quarter | To start the second half, it was Nelson who put Tampa back on the board first. Alaska-Fairbanks started to battle their way back into the game, however, Tampa remained on top, holding a 55-31 at the end of the quarter. 

4th Quarter | Tampa held onto its lead in the final quarter as both teams hit cold spells from the field. UT ended the game shooting 50 percent from the field while Alaska-Fairbanks shot at just a 25.8 percent. The Spartans ended the game with 48 total rebounds compared to the Nanooks 36. Tampa also had double the number of assists 20 to 10. The University of Tampa Spartans defeated the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks by a final score of 67-49.  

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tyghter led the way with team-high of 15 points. She also had 10 rebounds and four assists for the Spartans.
• Kotey was also in double figures with 10 points for UT.
• Nagy grabbed a team-leading 16 rebounds.
• The Spartans shot 49 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from 3-point range.
  

 BEYOND THE BOX:

• Due to her outstanding performance on the court, Staja Tyghter, earned all-tournament honors for the Spartans, while Dori Nagy earned the tournament MVP honors. 
• Head coach Tom Jessee now stands at 495 career wins as the program's all-time winningest coach closes in on another milestone.
• This marks UT's first 5-0 start since 2012.

UP NEXT: Tampa will return to the sunshine state to take on SSC rival, Florida Southern on Wednesday, November 28. Florida Southern will host the game, starting at 5:30 p.m. in Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Fla.

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