Spartans Defend Home Court in Holiday Classic

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team owned the paint which propelled the Spartans to a double-digit victory over Texas Woman's University. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 63, Texas Women's 46

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (8-2, 2-1 SSC), Texas Women's Pioneers (5-4, 2-0 LSC)

Location: Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa secured their first win of the series, as the Pioneers won the first two meetings. The two programs have not played against each other since 1989. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | The Spartans began the game on an 11-0 scoring stretch as Dori Nagy logged the first four points of the contest. Nagy registered seven points in total, while Emily Eshoo scored five points in the first 10 minutes of play. Tampa held the Pioneers to 5-for-17 (29%) shooting from the field, while the Spartans shot 10-for-15 (66%) in the opening quarter.

2nd Quarter | Both teams went cold in the second quarter as the two teams combined to shoot 26% in the second quarter. Staja Tyghter led the way with four points, totaling a game-high nine points in the half. In the first 20 minutes, Nagy grabbed eight defensive boards while Tyghter accumulated six rebounds. Tampa dominated in the low post, outscoring Texas Woman's 20-12 in the paint. Kris Nelson notched four rebounds and four assists in her 18 minutes of play. UT held a 13-point lead in the first quarter, and despite 10 turnovers, the Spartans led 30-20 at the break. TWU went 0-for-9 from long range in the first half. 

3rd Quarter | Tampa came out of the locker-room on fire, draining 7-of-9 from the field. Tyghter tallied six points while Nagy netted eight points in the quarter, as the Spartans continued to feed the low-post. Nagy logged 10 points and 10 rebounds with 6:15 remaining in the third quarter, her third double-double of the season. Heading into the final period, Nagy and Tyghter notched 15 points apiece. Texas Woman's Bri'anna Gray led the Pioneers with 10 points throughout three quarters. 

4th Quarter | The Pioneers went on a 6-2 stretch to begin the fourth quarter, before UT rattled off seven points of their own. Julia McClure splashed a three-pointer, and added a layup for five points in the quarter. McClure, a transfer from Wagner College, totaled seven points in the game which is her UT career-high. The Spartans dished out 19 assists compared to Texas Woman's seven assists. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tampa dominated in the low-post, out-scoring Texas Woman's 36-20 in the paint.
• Tyghter scored 19 points in the contest, she has registered 10+ points in nine straight games. 
• The Pioneers were held to 30% shooting from the field. Tampa has held six opponents to under 50 points.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Head coach Tom Jessee currently sits at 498 career victories.

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will host day two of the Holiday Classic on Wednesday afternoon as tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m. against Findlay. 

Tickets: General admission ticket prices for all Tampa regular season athletic events are $5. Youth (ages 12 and under) are admitted free of charge. UT students and faculty/staff are admitted free with a valid Spartan ID.

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