Tampa Comes up Short to Fighting Knights

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team struggled for most of the game as they end their regular season game defected by Lynn University. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Lynn Knights 53, Tampa Spartans 45
Records: University of Tampa (21-7, 15-5 SSC), Lynn University (16-10, 10-10 SSC)
Location: de Hoernle Sports & Cultural Center || Tampa, Fla. 
All-Time Series: The Spartans now own a 41-11 advantage in the all-time series as the regular-season series ends for both teams.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter | Lynn opened up the game by scoring the first two points. They then went on a 7-0 run until Tampa had their first basket scored by their leading scorer of the season, Staja Tyghter. For almost two minutes, neither team could get the ball through the net. Emily Eshoo broke that drought by knocking down a jumper with the assist from Lauren Kotey. With 2:13 left in the quarter, the Spartans received their first lead of the game. That lead got up to three points by Kotey making a layup in the paint. Lynn guard, Fields, drained a three within the last seconds to end the quarter with a tied game. 

2nd Quarter | Lynn started the second quarter scoring the first few baskets as well. Tampa first points of the quarter came from Melijah Sullivan as she made two quick trips to the line and drained four free-throw shots. Christina Potts for Lynn was giving the Spartans problems on defense as she was knocking down threes that secure the Knight's lead for the entire quarter. Both teams were low in turnovers, but Lynn out-rebounded Tampa 12-6. 

3rd Quarter | Tampa came out of the half on a comeback as they limited Lynn to shooting only 16.7 percent from the field. The half opened open with Lynn having a seven-point lead. Tampa went on a 7-0 run and came within one point with a little under five minutes left. The Spartans five turnovers in the quarter kept them from gaining the lead as Lynn went on a 5-0 run and ended the quarter up by four. Going into the 4th, Tyghter was the only player scoring in double digits with 13 points. 

4th Quarter | In the last ten minutes, Lynn went on another 7-0 run and got their biggest lead of the game, 12. Overall, it was the lowest scoring quarter for both teams. Tampa leading scorer was Tgyhter with 17 points and seven rebounds. Lynn leading scorer was Mahogany Hall with nine points and five rebounds. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tyghter and Eshoo both played 40 minutes each. 
• Tyghter led the team in scoring and rebounding with 17 points and seven rebounds.
• Sullivan was the second leading scorer with nine points off the bench. 

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Both Tyghter and Julia Mcclure blocked a career-high of shots, Tyghter had five and Mcclure had three.

UP NEXT: Tampa hosts the first game of the SSC Quarterfinals at home on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

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