Tampa Battles Past Soaring Eagles in Final Game of their West Coast Road Trip

LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The No. 13 University of Tampa women's basketball team continue their outstanding play as they finish the Las Vegas Classic with a win over the Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP  

Final Score: No. 13 University of Tampa Spartans 79, University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles 71 

Records: Tampa (12-2), Southern Indiana (8-2) 

Location: South Point Arena || Las Vegas, Nevada 

All-Time Series: This marks the third game between the Spartans and the Screaming Eagles, with the Screaming Eagles winning the two previous matchups. 

HOW IT HAPPENED  

1st QUARTER  

The Spartans would open up the scoring early in the matchup, with a layup made by Lashayla Wright-Ponder. The Spartans would score again around 20 seconds later which caused the Screaming Eagles to call a timeout. The game was close headed into the halfway point of the first quarter, with both teams playing great defense. The Spartans defense held the Screaming Eagles offense pointless for about three minutes. With a little over three minutes left to play in the opening quarter, the game was finally tied, after the Spartans led for most of it. Mya Guisto broke the tie game, and a two-minute scoring drought, to get the Spartans back into the lead towards the end of the quarter. Behind three free-throws made by Aliyah Abney in the final seconds, the Spartans took the lead after the first quarter. || Score: Tampa 18-17 

2nd QUARTER  

Melijah Sullivan would open the second quarter with a driving layup. The Spartans offense continued to score early in the quarter, but the Screaming Eagles were close behind. The Spartans outstanding defensive play continued in the second quarter, as they held the Screaming Eagles scoreless for over three minutes once again. With three minutes left before the half, the Spartans held a five-point lead over the Screaming Eagles, with a score of 27-22. Towards the end of the quarter, the Screaming Eagles were closing in on the Spartans' lead. With layups made by Sullivan and Abney in the final minutes, the Spartans were able to hold onto their lead headed into the half. || Score: Tampa 35-28 

3rd QUARTER  

The third quarter would open up similarly to the first and second quarters, with Abney scoring the opening points, making a layup off an opponent turnover. The Spartans offense would continue their great play, building an 11-point lead with seven minutes left in the quarter. The Spartans defensive play would continue prove too much for the Screaming Eagles, holding them scoreless for over three minutes for the third time in the game. The Spartans also had an impressive run of their own, going 6-0 towards the middle of the quarter. The Screaming Eagles were not giving up without a fight though, as they closed in on the Spartans lead. Despite a scoring drought near the end of the quarter, the Spartans held onto the lead headed into the final 10 minutes. || Score: Tampa 53-46 

4th QUARTER  

Tampa would continue to score points, building a solid 10-point lead with seven minutes left to play. Abney continued her outstanding play this quarter, as she led the Spartans with 20 points so far in the matchup. The Spartans' offense had another scoring run in the final 10 minutes of the game, as they went an 8-0 over a four-minute period. The Spartans defense was relentless and held the Screaming Eagles pointless for over five minutes in the quarter. Ultimately, the Spartans excellent play on both sides of the ball was too much for the Screaming Eagles to come back from. || Final: Tampa 79-71