Spartans Outlast Southern Nazarene at North Star Invite
FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The No. 14 University of Tampa women's basketball team continued their play in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational and won its sixth consecutive game against Southern Nazarene University.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: No. 14 University of Tampa Spartans 57, Southern Nazarene University 54
Records: Tampa (7-2), Southern Nazarene (4-2)
Location: Alaska Airlines Gymnasium || Fairbanks, Alaska
All-Time Series: This was the first meeting between the two teams.
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st QUARTER
The first quarter opened up with great defensive play by both teams. The Spartans would open the scoring with Aliyah Abney making a layup with 8:19 left in the quarter. The Southern Nazarene Storm responded, and scored six unanswered points to take the lead in the middle of the quarter. The Spartans picked up their scoring near the end of the quarter, but the early start from the Storm would halt their complete comeback. || Score: 14-8 Southern Nazarene
2nd QUARTER
The second quarter began very similarly to the first. Both teams continued to battle it out, while they each put up back-to-back points. Melijah Sullivan opened the scoring for the Spartans in this quarter, making a layup. The Spartans were closing the gap in the score, coming within two points of the lead with 5:30 left in the half. Eleanore Marciszewski tied the game at 19 points with 4:54 left before the halftime break. The Spartans would take a narrow lead headed into the half, with a score of 29-28. || Score: 29-28 Tampa
3rd QUARTER
This quarter started off Southern Nazarene scoring a few points. Despite this, Tampa found the beck of the net, with Mya Guisto opening the scoring for the Spartans. The Spartans would continue to score in this quarter but, the Storm would not give up so easily. Though the Spartans offense came alive in this quarter, the Storm also kept scoring and tied the game at 41 with 1:00 left to play. The Spartans and the Storm would tie headed into the final 10 minutes. Dori Nagy lead the Spartans in minutes played so far, with 29 minutes. || Score: 43-43 Tied
4th QUARTER
The Spartans scored first in the final quarter, with Nagy making a jump shot. The two teams' offenses continued to score points, with the lead going back and forth between them. With 3:55 left in the game, the Spartans were trailing 52-51. Behind a team effort, the Spartans would hold off the Storm and win the game 57-54. || Final: 57-54 Tampa
INSIDE THE STATS
- Nagy lead the Spartans in points, scoring 16 in the game. She also registered a double-double with 10 rebounds.
- Sullivan added 12 points.
- Abney, Sullivan, and Bonilla each had 2 rebounds in this contest.
BEYOND THE BOX
- Today's result marks the Spartans' sixth straight win.
NEXT UP: The Spartans stay in Fairbanks for the last game in the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Classic. The Spartans will play Northwood (Mich). tomorrow November 27th at 5:00 p.m.
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