Spartans Secure Road Victory at Eckerd

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team secured the road victory against Eckerd College on Wednesday evening, as Melijah Sullivan scored 13 points in the second half to lead the Spartans.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Tampa 71, Eckerd 66
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (13-5, 7-3 SSC), Eckerd College Tritons (11-6, 6-4 SSC)
Location: Saint Petersburg, Fla. || McArthur Center
All-Time Series: The Spartans lead 77-18; Tampa snapped a five-game losing streak at the McArthur Center.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | Tampa began the scoring with a three-pointer from Emily Eshoo, the 14th game in which she's connected from long-range. Dori Nagy registered five points and grabbed five rebounds in the opening quarter. Nagy converted an "and-one" opportunity to even the score at 9-9. Kris Nelson tallied three points, completing 1-of-2 from the free-throw line. Tampa forced three turnovers in the first quarter, which led to five points. Heading into the second quarter, UT trailed the Tritons 12-11. 

2nd Quarter | Nagy hit a mid-range jumper to open the quarter, however, the Spartans went scoreless from the field over the next seven minutes. During the seven minute stretch, Tampa logged nine free-throws to limit the deficit. Staja Tyghter ended the drought, draining a three-pointer at the two-minute mark. The Tritons netted three long-range jumpers during the second quarter, as Yarden Danan led the scoring for Eckerd with eight points. The Spartans converted on 13-of-16 free-throws, while Eckerd attempted only five free-throws in the first half. Lauren Kotey defended the low-post, swatting two shots in the first half. At the end of the half, the Spartans went on a 12-2 run and held a 33-29 advantage over Eckerd.

3rd Quarter | Coming out of the locker-room, Melijah Sullivan provided a spark for Tampa. Sullivan, a freshman from Winter Haven HS, scored the first five points of the quarter. Eckerd splashed back-to-back three-pointers to cut the lead to 42-41. The Spartans answered with consecutive long-range jumpers, from Eshoo and Tyghter, and extended the lead to seven. Tyghter logged seven points, while Eshoo and Sullivan scored five points apiece. Eckerd went to the free-throw line eight times in the quarter, while UT did not reach the charity stripe. 

4th Quarter | Sullivan rattled off eight points in the fourth quarter, totaling 19 points on the evening. With 1:52 remaining, Eckerd took a 62-61 lead after back-to-back three-pointers. Eshoo drove to the lane and secured the go-ahead basket with 1:41 to go. After a defensive stop, Nagy pulled up from mid-range as the shot clock expired to extend the lead to 65-62. Following an Eckerd timeout, Zoe Richards leaked to the basket for an easy lay-up to cut the lead to one. With a 65-64 lead, Julia Ingram stepped to the free-throw line and converted on both attempts. The teams exchanged free-throws in the final minute as UT secured the victory.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tyghter has registered double-digit scoring in 17 straight games. 
• Tyghter and Nagy logged double-doubles, combining for 30 points and 22 rebounds.
• Four Spartans scored in double-figures, tying the most in a game this season.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Nagy attempted 10+ free-throws for the third time this season.
• With the victory, Tampa snapped a two-game road losing streak. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will head to Miami Shores on Saturday afternoon, to face off against the Barry Buccaneers. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Health & Sports Center.

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