Spartans Crossover Set to Begin 2019-2020 Season
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Women's Basketball Team will start the season off with the Opening Weekend Spartan Crossover Tournament at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center. Spring Hill College and The University of West Georgia will be the visiting to represent the Gulf South Conference, as Florida Tech will join UT as the Sunshine State Conference competition.
Schedule:
Friday, November 8:
4 p.m. - Florida Tech Panthers (0-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. University of West Georgia Wolves (0-0, 0-0 GSC)
6 p.m. - University of Tampa Spartans (0-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. Spring Hill College Badgers (0-0, 0-0 GSC)
Saturday, November 9:
4 p.m. - Florida Tech Panthers (0-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. Spring Hill College Badgers (0-0, 0-0 GSC)
6 p.m. - University of Tampa Spartans (0-0, 0-0 SSC) vs. University of West Georgia Wolves (0-0, 0-0 GSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla. | 400 N Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
About Tampa: The Spartans finished last season second in the Sunshine State Conference with an overall record of 22-9 and a conference record of 15-5. UT found a home-court advantage with a 13-3 record at Martinez. Tampa welcomes back their leading rebounder in Dori Nagy, who started in every game and averaged 14.2 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game. The now junior forward lead the SSC in rebounds with a total of 272. Nagy recorded 10 double-doubles last year, while scoring 15-plus points 15 different times. The Spartans expect to see more from their sophomore guard Melijah, who started in 8 of 28 games played as a freshman. She scored 6.7 points per game as she finished last season with a field goal percentage of 54.7. The Spartans welcome nine newcomers, including Elon transfer Anna Popovic, Hampton transfer LaShayla Wright-Ponder, Bowling Green State transfer Terri Battle, Delaware transfer Erin Antosh and five freshmen Mya Giusto, Samantha Matthews, Audrey Ramsey, Karli Cauley, and Aubrey Clapsaddle.
About Spring Hill: In the 2018-19 season, Spring Hill won 12 games and lost 16. The Badgers had a 7-10 record in the SIAC and lost in the second round of the conference tournament to Tuskegee. They return their senior forward Tiffany Valentine, who averaged 18.3 points per game with a total of 457. Valentine started in 24 out of 25 games played and averaged 28.6 minutes per game. Senior, Daja Walker, also returns who tallied 35 steals and 171 points last season. In a preseason exhibition, the Badgers narrowly lost to Division I Southern Mississippi 83-66. Redshirt Junior Katie Krout scored 21 points for Spring Hill. Head Coach Karen McConico begins her ninth season at Spring Hill and has a career record of 98-121. One thing to note: the Badgers were 3-1 in neutral site games last season, and 2-0 in overtime contests.
About West Georgia: The Wolves went 16-10 last season with a 10-10 record in the GSC. UWG finished 11th in the conference in points per game, scoring 59.7, and were third in the conference in defense allowing 58.6 points per game. After finishing seventh in the conference in the 2018-19 season. The Wolves advanced to the second round of the GSC tournament with a victory over West Florida. The UWG season came to an end with a loss to Lee University. Returning to the team is Edley Drawhorn, the Wolves' third-leading scorer a season ago. She played every game for the Wolves averaging 7.6 points and 3.8 rebounds per contest. Look for transfer Morgan Perkins to make an immediate impact. The 6'2" forward 21.6 points and 10.7 rebounds per game last season for St. Andrews University.
About Florida Tech: The Panthers had a tough 2018-2019 season, finishing 8-20 (4-16 SSC). Head coach John Reynolds enters his 33rd season leading the Panthers and looks to rebound from last season's tie for last place in the conference. Tech's top three scorers last season graduated and are no longer with the program. The fourth-leading scorer, Amanda Allen returns. Look for the 6'0" Norway native to be a focal point of the Panthers offense, which scored only 59.0 points per game a season ago. Look for freshman forward Severine Uggen to make an immediate contribution for Tech. The 6'0 Uggen made appearances for the Norweigan national team in the 2018 FIBA Championships for small European countries.
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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