Four Spartans Drop 10+ Points in Big SSC Road Win

St. Pete, Fla. – The University of Tampa Women's Basketball team was back on the road this afternoon to face Eckerd College. This is the first matchup this year between these two teams after they met four times last season, including the SSC Tournament Final and NCAA Tournament Second Round. In what was an electric SSC matchup, neither team led by more then five. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #19 Tampa 68, Eckerd 64

Records: #19 Tampa 12-3 (4-1 SSC), Eckerd 9-4 (4-3 SSC)

Location: Gibbs Campus, St. Pete College l St. Pete, Fla. 

All-time series: This was the 109th meeting all-time between these two programs, Tampa extends the series lead to 87-22. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: Tonight's big SSC contest did not start in the Spartans favor. After winning the opening tip, Tampa struggled to find any offense for the first four minutes of the game. Eckerd on the other hand, made their first shot of the night and quickly took a 6-2 lead. Despite the lack of offense, the Spartans kept it close with their stellar defense. Olivia Davis and Sariana Rodriguez forced multiple turnovers in the first quarter in order to keep the Tritons at six points with just four minutes left. The Spartans defense held the Tritons to nine straight missed shots as they clawed their way back into the first quarter. The Spartans took their first lead of the game at the one minute mark thanks to an Audrey Ramsey jumper. Eckerd was able to respond with a bucket of their own and both teams went into the second quarter knotted at 12. The Spartans were able to heat up towards the end of the first quarter, but Giorgia Palmieri would be a huge spark in the second. The Freshman from Italy drilled her first shot of the game from behind the arc and on the next possession delivered a dime to Piller downlow for an easy bucket. However, Eckerd was able to drill a pair of triples and both teams found themselves tied again at 20 by the five minute mark. Neither team gave in and traded baskets (mainly deep threes) for the final minutes of the half. Sariana Rodriguez and Kath Van Bennekom helped the Spartans match the three point shooting of Eckerd and both teams went into the break tied at 33-33. 

Score: #19 Tampa 33, Eckerd 33

SECOND HALF: With both teams shooting over 40% from in the first half, whoever was able to implement defensive adjustments first was going to be able to take control of this close contest. Each side opened up the second half with a made layup but then went scoreless for over four minutes. Zoe Piller would end the drought and after a Kath Van Bennekom three point jumper the Spartans would lead 40-38. Eckerd would answer yet again and this contest continued to go back and forth throughout the remainder of the third quarter. With the game tied at 46, Olivia Davis would earn her way to the line and give Tampa a 48-46 lead going into the final quarter of play. Eckered opened the fourth quarter with a free throw of their own but Audrey Ramsey put her defender in a blender and drilled a three to give the Spartans their first multi-possession lead of the game. The Tritons would again answer with a deep three to pull within a point. Spartans would hit two shots around the rim to extend the lead to five before Eckered again hit a three to pull themselves back into this game. Both teams would trade baskets until Sariana Rodriguez was able to give the Spartans a 60-56 lead with under two minutes to play. Once again, Eckerd responded with a three. However, with under a minute left, the Tritons were forced to foul and the Spartans hit their free throws down the stretch. In what was a classic between these two great teams, the Spartans were able to close this one out and get another win in SSC play. 

Final: #19 Tampa 68, Eckerd 64

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Sariana Rodriguez and Audrey Ramsey combined for 30 points (15 each)

• Each Spartans Starter recorded 4+ rebounds 

• Tampa shot an efficient 44% from the field  

UP NEXT: Tampa Women's Basketball will stay on the road for one final game this week. They will travel to Daytona Beach, Fla to face Embry-Riddle on Saturday, Jan 11th. This contest will be a Top 25 battle between the Spartans and Eagles with tip scheduled for 4:00pm. 

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