SSC Leading Spartans Take Fifth Straight Victory

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team continued to impress with a victory over the Barry University Buccaneers.

Final: No. 20 Tampa Spartans 74, Barry Buccaneers 56 

Records: University of Tampa (17-3, SSC 8-1), Barry University (9-3, SSC 6-2)

Location: Health and Sports Center || Miami Shores, Fla. 

All-Time Series: The Spartans lead the all-time series against the Bucs 51-25, with a five-game win streak.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

First Quarter: The Spartans offense got started early, scoring four unanswered points. The Buccaneers started to score some points of their own, though. At the halfway point, the Spartans held a narrow five-point lead. The Spartans defense played well in the first quarter, holding Barry scoreless for over four minutes. LaShayla Wright-Ponder led the Spartans in scoring in the first quarter, with 11 points. || Score: 25-13 Tampa

Second Quarter: The Spartans began this quarter with a scoring drive by Wright-Ponder. With five minutes left in the half, the Spartans had a 12-point lead over the Bucs. The Spartans offense continued to score often in the second quarter. The Spartans defense also continued its success in the first half, leading the rebounds 20-10. The teams were battling for the last two minutes, with each scoring points on their possessions. Overall, the Spartans offense was too much for the Bucs to handle in the first half. Wright-Ponder and Aliyah Abney continued to spark the Spartans offense, both having points in the double digits at the half. || Score: 44-28 Tampa

Third Quarter: The third quarter began with a Buccaneers turnover, but the Spartans offense did not make anything of it. The first few minutes of the third quarter saw both teams go scoreless. The scoring drought was broken when Abney scored two free throws for the Spartans. With just under five minutes left to play, the Spartans had a sizeable 20-point lead over the Bucs. Abney continued to play very well, netting a team-leading 21 points on the night after three quarters. II Score: 59-41 Tampa

Fourth Quarter: The fourth quarter opened up with the Bucs scoring first, but that did not shake the Spartans. The Spartans responded with great defensive play and Abney opened the scoring for the Spartans after a steal. The Bucs started to close in on the Spartans lead with two minutes left to play. Ultimately, the Spartans held onto their lead that they built early on in the game with excellent offensive play. II Final: 74-56 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS 

• Abney scored a team-leading 25 points  
• Wright-Ponder was close behind, scoring 19 points
• Wright-Pounder recorded 12 rebounds on the day

BEYOND THE BOX 

• Spartans extended their win streak to five games. 
• #1 in the SSC Conference 
• The Spartans outscored the Bucs 42-20 in the paint

UP NEXT: The Spartans will return home to host the Florida Southern Mocs on Wednesday, January 19^th at 5:30 p.m. 

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