Piller's Historic Performance Helps Defeat PBA

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 21 University of Tampa Spartans beat Palm Beach Atlantic behind Zoe Piller's career night performance.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: No. 21 Tampa Spartans 77, Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish 73

Records: Tampa (17-4, 8-2 SSC), Palm Beach Atlantic (9-9, 3-7 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time: Spartans improve their dominance over the Sailfish and improve to 32-4 over them.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

After a Kath Van Bennekom layup for the game's first points, the following five minutes would consist of two ties and three lead changes before the Sailfish would extend their lead to five, 14-9. Zoe Piller would close the first quarter with four of the Spartan's six points. | Score: 16-15 Palm Beach Atlantic

2nd QUARTER

Marissa McDonald would score the opening basket to put the Spartans ahead 17-16. After the Sailfish took the lead. Sarah Jones would follow with a three-pointer and a Piller layup to take a 22-19 lead. The Sailfish would respond and keep a lead heading into the locker rooms. | Score: 38-33 Palm Beach Atlantic

3rd QUARTER

Piller would open up the second half, scoring four points to cut the Spartans deficit to one. The Sailfish would retain a lead for almost all of the third quarter before Piller would score five straight to take a 53-51 lead. The Sailfish scored a bucket before the clock struck zero. | Score: 53-53 Tied

4th QUARTER

The Sailfish would take an early six-point lead to start the fourth quarter before the Spartans called a timeout. After the Sailfish extended their lead to Seven, Piller would respond with four straight to cut the Spartans deficit to three, 65-62. Down six with a minute and twenty-one seconds left, Piller took over the game herself, scoring eight of the last ten Spartans points to seal the win. | Score: 77-73 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS

• Piller had herself a career night with 39 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 assist.
• Audrey Ramsey recorded 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists.
• Marissa McDonald had 4 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists off the bench.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Tampa shot 53.7% from the floor, 30% from behind the arch, and 69.6% from the line.
• Tampa had 40 points in the paint.
• Tampa out rebound the Sailfish 30-26.

UP NEXT: The No. 21 University of Tampa Spartans will go on the road and face Embry-Riddle in Daytona Beach on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 4:00 P.M.