Fourth Quarter Rally Leads Montevallo Past UT

BILLINGS, Mont. – The No. 11 University of Tampa women's basketball team was defeated by the University of Montevallo Falcons in its second contest of the DII Tipoff Classic.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score:  University of Montevallo Falcons 81, No. 11 University of Tampa Spartans 67

Records: Tampa (1-1), Montevallo (1-1)

Location: Alterowitz Gym | Billings, Mont.

All-Time Series: This is the fifth all-time meeting between the two teams. This loss gives the Falcons a 3-2 edge in the series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

The Spartans started off very slow to start the first, the shots were not falling like UT were wanting. Montevallo would get on a 6-0 run early on in the game. UT would end the quarter with a 42.1 shooting percentage from the field compared to Montevallos' 62.5 percent shooting. Montevallo would get on a 6-0 run early on. Dori Nagy would lead the team in scoring with eight. Score: 26-17 Montevallo

2nd QUARTER

UT hit the ground running in the 2nd. The Spartans were able to control the court all around, by outshooting and outrebounding the Falcons in this quarter and mounting a comeback to take the lead for the first time since the first basket was scored. UT shot the ball better in this half by knocking down 50 percent of their shots. Aliyah Abney would provide an instant spark off the bench for the Spartans, providing eight points and a 66 shooting percentage. Score: 37-36 Tampa

3rd QUARTER

This quarter was all back and forth between both teams. 6 lead changes would be shared equally between the Spartans and Falcons with Montevallo just getting the edge of Tampa at the end of the half. The Spartans would be out-rebounded this quarter 10-8 while also being outscored 25-22. Just four UT players would get on the score sheet in the quarter with Melijah Sullivan rallying the team with 9 points with Nagy, putting up yet another 8 point quarter. Score: 61-59 Montevallo

4th QUARTER

This was all Montevallo as Tampa could not seem to find the rhythm they had the past two quarters. The Falcons would outscore the Spartans 20-8 which included an 11-0 run in the quarter for the Falcons. As Tampa would go 0 percent shooting from outside the perimeter while shooting 15.4 percent for the quarter. Score: 81-67 Montevallo

INSIDE THE STATS

• Nagy (23) and Sullivan (20) would break the 20 point total for UT.

• Mya Giusto recorded a career-high in steals with four.

• Nagy would shoot a team-high percentage of 58.8 percent.

• Abney led the team in rebounds with 10.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Through 2 games this season, UT has accumulated 48 points off of the bench.

• The game was a matchup of NCAA South Region opponents, as Montevallo is a member of the Gulf South Conference.

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