Spartans Secure Spot in Region Final With Blowout Win

Sydney Kin
Sydney Kin
March 12, 2023

Tampa, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's basketball team enjoyed a stellar first half en route to a victory over Lee University in the semifinals of the 2023 NCAA South Regional.

Final: University of Tampa Spartans 73, Lee University Flames

Records: #1 Tampa 32-1, #4 Lee 26-7

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: The Spartans now lead the all-time series 4-3. This was the first meeting since a 72-63 UT win in the 2019 NCAA South Regional.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

FIRST QUARTER 

Tampa would hold Lee to just four points in the final three minutes of the opening quarter, outscoring the Flames 13-4 in the final four minutes of the quarter. Sydney Kin scored 14 of Tampa's 21 points, going 5-for-5 from the floor. Tampa shot 61.5 percent from the field, including 4-for-5 from 3-point range. | Score: 21-13 Tampa

SECOND QUARTER

The Spartans continued their hot shooting and stellar defensive play, outscoring the Flames 24-10 in the second quarter. The Spartans shot 69.2 percent from field goal range while holding its opponent to a 28.6 percent mark. Kin remained perfect with a 4-for-4 mark from field goal range while also making both of her free throw attempts. She would enter the half with 24 points to lead all scorers as she also outscored the opponent. | Score: 45-23 Tampa

THIRD QUARTER 

With a 23-point halftime lead, the Spartans did not let up as they outscored the Flames 13-11 in the third. Lee was held to 4-of-14 shooting as the Spartans outrebounded their opponent 10-6. | Score: 58-34 Tampa

FOURTH QUARTER

With a big lead in hand, Tampa managed to make 7-of-14 from the field in the final 10 minutes while committing no turnovers in the fourth quarter.  | Score:73-51 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS;

  • Kin finished with a career-high 33 points on 12-of-14 shooting. She was also 9-for-10 from the free throw line with three assists, one steal and three blocked shots.
  • Melijah Sullivan also registered double figures with 18 points as she made 8-of-11 attempts.
  • The Spartans shot 54.9 percent from the field, also connecting on six 3-pointers.
  • UT's defense held the Flame to a 35.1 field goal percentage while forcing 14 Flames turnovers.
  • Tampa led by as many as 28 points.

BEYOND THE BOX

  • With a 32-1 record, UT continues to add to the school record for wins in a season.
  • Winners of 21 straight games, the current streak represents the longest in program history.
  • Tampa advances to the South REgion championship game for the second time in school history, and first since 2014.

UP NEXT: Tampa will play for its first NCAA South Region Championship on Monday at 7 p.m., against a familiar foe in Sunshine State Conference opponent Eckerd College.