Giusto's Career Night Leads No. 5 Tampa Over Saint Leo

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 5 Tampa Spartans throttled the Saint Leo Lions behind a career night for Mya Giusto in the conference play opener for both teams.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score:  No. 5 Tampa Spartans 72, Saint Leo Lions 41

Records: Tampa (4-2, 1-0 SSC), Saint Leo (1-2, 0-1 SSC) 

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series 93-16. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

Tampa started the game in a full-court press and dropped back into a 2-3 zone. The Spartans were able to get looks at the rim early and Mya Giusto scored the team's first four points. However, Tampa was getting killed on the offensive glass, losing the battle 4-1 as Saint Leo's first six points came on second-chance opportunities. Eight of the Lions' 12 points in the quarter resulted from offensive rebounds. Audrey Ramsey drilled a 3-pointer to give the Spartans a 9-6 lead that they would not look back from in the first half. Giusto would score five more points in the quarter to lead all scorers with nine points. | Score: 16-12 Tampa

2nd QUARTER

Tampa went on an 8-0 run to start the quarter before a Saint Leo timeout, with four points coming off turnovers. The Spartans were much improved in the paint, scoring 12 of 17 points from inside. A Giusto three-pointer brought Tampa its largest lead of the half to 15 with 5:19 left to play. The zone defense from the Spartans was effective as the Lions made their first shot from beyond the arc with 4:12 left in the half. A buzzer-beater three by Saint Leo's Alanis Diaz ended the half. | Score: 33-22 Tampa

3rd QUARTER

A Saint Leo putback after a missed three-pointer opened the scoring in the third quarter. However, the Tampa defense would hold the Lions scoreless for over the next five minutes and went on an extended 14-3 run in which Giusto eclipsed 20 points on the night. The Spartans took a 20-point lead on a mid-range from Giusto to give her 24 points in the game. Zoe Piller had a big quarter, scoring seven points. | Score: 50-30 Tampa

4th QUARTER

With the game out of reach, the Spartans bench continued to pour it on. Olivia Davis had a perfect quarter, scoring eight points on 2-2 shooting from three and added a pair of free throws. Danielle Delano also got on the board with a three-pointer of her own. Tampa continued to cruise in the second half defensively, limiting the Lions to 11 points in the quarter and just 19 total in the second half. | Score: 72-41 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS

• Giusto finished with a career-high 24 points
• Piller posted a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, her 5^th game of the season scoring in double figures
• Tampa forced 28 turnovers

UP NEXT: Tampa will travel to San Angelo, Texas for two games in the Angelo State Thanksgiving Tournament, with the first opponent being the Midwestern State Mustangs. The game will tip-off on Friday, Nov. 24 at 3 p.m.