Spartans Sail Past Sailfish On Senior Night

LAKELAND, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans women's basketball team opened their season on Senior Night against the Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish. They cruised to a 66-57 win.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: University of Tampa Spartans 66, Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish 57.

Records: Tampa (1-0), Palm Beach Atlantic (1-3).

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series 27-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

LaShayla Wright-Ponder opened the scoring for the Spartans to jumpstart an 8-0 Tampa run in the early going, which forced a PBA timeout. Junior Melijah Sullivan started off scorching hot, shooting 3-3 as she and Wright-Ponder did it all, giving Tampa a 10-3 lead with 6:17 left in the first quarter. The Spartans proved to be too much to handle in the first quarter, as the Sailfish shot just 2-19 from the field. Tampa shot 57% from the field and hit all their free-throws to take a commanding 19-8 to close the quarter. Score: 19-8 UT

2nd QUARTER

The Spartans again started things off with a three-point basket from Senior Aliyah Abney. The Sailfish, however, would not go down without a fight and quickly went on an 8-0 run to pull within six, 22-16 Tampa with 6:11 to go in the second quarter. The Spartans immediately answered back with an 8-0 run of their own and took another double-digit lead, 30-16, with 4:18 left. Junior Erin Antosh then decided to make matters into her own hands and scored the Spartans next six points on her own and the Spartans led the Sailfish 36-27 at the half. Score: 36-27 UT

3rd QUARTER

Tampa remained in control of the game for the entire third period. Sullivan dominated the quarter, scoring 12 of Tampa's 19 points and grabbing six rebounds. Score: 55-42 UT

4th QUARTER

The Sailfish started the fourth quarter with a bit of momentum after four quick points and outscored the Spartans 15-9 in the final quarter, but their effort was not enough as Tampa finished with a comfortable nine-point lead. Antosh led the scoring effort, scoring five points on 2-4 shooting. Sullivan grabbed four rebounds to give her 15 for the game. Score: 66-57 UT

INSIDE THE STATS

• Melijah Sullivan did it all for the Spartans, scoring 18 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out five assists. She also added a block and was a perfect 2-2 from the free throw line. 
• Erin Antosh had an impressive season debut, scoring 16 points in 16 minutes off the bench. She shot 5-8 from the field, added six rebounds, and one block. 
• Silvia Ferreiros chipped in six points in 10 minutes off the bench, both three-pointers. 
• UT's ball movement was on full display in this one, as they out-assisted the Sailfish 18-9. 
• UT had six players log two or more assists: Sullivan (5), Mya Giusto (4), Aliyah Abney (3), Julia Ingram, Anna Popovic, and Audrey Ramsey (2) each.

BEYOND THE BOX

•  This is the sixth straight season-opening win for the Spartans.

UP NEXT: On Saturday, Tampa welcomes the Barry University Buccaneers. The game begins at 4:00 p.m.

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