Spartans Sneak Past Embry-Riddle

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team went to overtime for the first time this season, and secured the victory over Embry-Riddle.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Tampa 68, Embry-Riddle 62 (OT)
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (15-6, 9-4 SSC), Embry-Riddle Eagles (12-8, 7-6 SSC)
Location: Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.
All-Time Series: The series is tied 4-4; Tampa snapped a two-game losing streak against ERAU. The teams have spilt the season series, as the home team secured each victory.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | Tampa scored the first ten points of the game, as Embry-Riddle did not score until the 3 minute mark. Staja Tyghter filled the stat sheet with four points, three assists and five rebounds. Dori Nagy led the team with nine points and she went 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. The Spartans held Embry-Riddle to 16.7% shooting from the field, and their five points came from bench players. UT out-rebounded ERAU 13-7, which led to nine second chance points for Tampa.

2nd Quarter | At the five minute mark, Tampa extended their lead to 18 points. Tyghter logged eight points and accumulated three rebounds in the second quarter. The senior went 6-for-9 from the field in the opening half. As a team, UT shot 77.8% on nine attempts from the field. ERAU's Nicole Tucker registered eight points in seven minutes of play. Tampa out-rebounded Embry-Riddle 7-3 which led to six points in the paint. Heading to halftime, the Spartans led 34-20 over the Eagles.

3rd Quarter | The two teams combined to shoot 33% from the field in the third quarter as Nicole Tucker logged five points for the Eagles. Four different Spartans scored in the quarter, with Nagy logging four points. Tyghter grabbed her 10th rebound in the quarter, registering her eighth double-double of the season. Neither team went to the free-throw line in the quarter.

4th Quarter | Embry-Riddle connected on 8-of-16 three-pointers in the fourth quarter to cut into Tampa's lead. The Spartans committed six turnovers, while ERAU was conserative with two turnovers. With 1:12 remaining, Embry-Riddle attempted a three-pointer and grabbed the offensive rebound which led to an easy lay up for Sigrid Sandstrom. The basket gave the Eagles a 55-54 lead, however, Embry-Riddle fouled Nagy. The sophomore stepped to the free-throw line and converted both attempts to give UT a one-point lead. ERAU's Morgan Ackermann splashed a three-pointer with 20 seconds remaining. On the last possession, Kris Nelson drove to the basket for a lay-up and missed but the two teams shared the rebound for a jump ball. Tampa retained possession with 2.8 left in the game, and Nagy tied the game with a last-second finger roll which rolled around the rim before falling in.

Overtime | Emily Eshoo began overtime with a long-range jumper. With 45 seconds remaining, Embry-Riddle tied the game at 62 apiece and Nagy capped off her standout performance with the go-ahead layup. Nelson stepped to the charity stripe and knocked down four free-throws to close out the game. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Nagy logged her seventh double-double of the season, scoring a career-high 24 points while grabbing 11 rebounds.
• Following her scoreless performance on Wednesday, Tyghter rebounded with her eighth double-double of the season, tallying 19 points and 12 rebounds. 

BEYOND THE BOX:

• This was the first overtime game for Tampa this season.
• Nagy and Tyghter registered double-doubles in the same game for the fourth time this season.

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa travels to West Palm Beach on Wednesday to take on the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

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