Spartans Fall in NCAA South Region Semi-Final

LAKELAND, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team ended their season in the NCAA South Region semi-finals, as Florida Southern defended home court and pulled away in the fourth quarter.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: (#1) Florida Southern 76, (#5) Tampa 65
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (22-9, 15-5 SSC), Florida Southern Moccasins (30-3, 18-2 SSC)
Location: Streamline Sale Arena at Jenkins Field House || Lakeland, Fla.
All-Time Series: Tampa trails 63-37; The Mocs have won nine of the last 10 games in the series.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter | The Mocs scored first with a layup from Anja Fuchs-Robetin but the Spartans responded with a three-pointer from Kris Nelson. FSC's Camille Giardina, ranking 23rd in the NCAA in points scored per game (19.5), logged nine points in the first 10 minutes of play. Nelson drained another long-range jumper and led the team with six points in the first quarter. Dori Nagy, Tampa's second-leading scorer (13.8), tallied two layup's and secured two boards. The Spartans committed five turnovers while FSC used the mistakes to score seven points. Florida Southern led by eight heading into the second quarter, 20-12. 

2nd Quarter | Nagy led the way with eight points during the second quarter, while Julia Ingram drained two three-pointers and totaled eight points as well. In the first half, the Spartans used their depth to their advantage, out-scoring the Mocs 14-2 off the bench. In the first 20 minutes of action, UT committed nine fouls compared to FSC's four fouls. The Moccasins converted on 6-of-7 from the charity stripe. Heading into halftime, FSC led 37-32 over the Spartans. 

3rd Quarter | In the third period of play, Nagy rattled off ten points and converted on 2-of-3 from the free-throw line. FSC's Giardina tallied ten points as well, draining one three-pointer and a successful 3-for-3 at the free-throw line. At the seven-minute mark, Tampa took a 42-41 lead with back-to-back three-pointers. After the Spartans took a one-point advantage, Florida Southern went on a 7-0 run to bounce back. The Moccasins ended the third quarter leading by two, 56-54. 

4th Quarter | After the teams exchanged baskets to begin the fourth quarter, the Mocs went on a 14-0 run to extend their lead. The Spartans could not close the deficit as they scored eight points for the remainder of the game. Staja Tyghter fouled out with a few minutes remaining, and totaled five points in the contest. Nagy led the team with 24 points and eight rebounds, while Nelson drained four three-pointers in total. 

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Nagy tied her career-high with 24 points on 10-of-17 from the field. The sophomore accomplished this task on Feb. 2 against Embry-Riddle.
• Nelson logged a career-high four made three-pointers, this is only the second time she's drained multiple three-pointers.
• The Moccasins went to the free-throw line 16 times compared to Tampa's six trips to the charity stripe. 
• FSC's Giardina tallied 30 points; the SSC Player of the Year has scored at least 30 points in four games this season.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• The Spartans rattled off 22 wins this season, the most since 2013-14.
• In 2016, UT reached the NCAA South Region semi-final and fell to Florida Southern, 69-59.

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