Tampa Drops Top 25 SSC Matchup in Final Seconds

Daytona Beach, Fla. – The University of Tampa Women's Basketball team was back in action this evening for a Top 25 conference matchup. The #19 Spartans traveled to Daytona Beach to face #16 Embry-Riddle. In what was the definition of a back and forth game, it came down to the final shot. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #19 Tampa 63, #16 Embry-Riddle 64

Records: #19 Tampa 12-4 (4-2 SSC), #16 Embry-Riddle 13-1 (7-0 SSC)

Location: ICI Center I Daytona Beach, Fla. 

All-time series: This was the 21st meeting all-time between these two programs. Even with the loss, Tampa still leads the series 15-6. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: In a battle of nationally ranked teams, this contest started fast and did not slow down. To open the game, Marissa McDonald and Olivia Davis drilled three's to put Tampa up 6-0. The Spartans would follow this up with elite defense and their opening run exploded into a 11-2 lead in the first few minutes. Embry-Riddle fought back, finally getting shots to fall and clawing back to a 13-9 game. Sariana Rodriguez responded to this run by putting the ball on the floor and fighting her way through traffic for a tough three point play. To end the first quarter, Embry-Riddle hit two straight shots to once again pull themselves back into the game and the Tampa lead was cut to just 16-15. To start the second quarter, the eagles came out hot. They hit their opening three shots to take their first lead of the game at 21-19. Tampa answered again in a huge way, going on a 9-0 run to regain a multi-possession lead. With the score 30-23, both teams traded baskets as the game crossed into the final minutes of the first half. Embry-Riddle went on another run in the final minute to retake the lead and go into the break up one. 

Score: #19 Tampa 34, #16 Embry-Riddle 35

SECOND HALF: The second half did not start in Tampa's favor. Embry-Riddle opened the third quarter with a 7-0 run to push their lead out to 42-34. After a momentum killing time out by Head Coach Tom Jessee, the Spartans got the offense going and cut the lead to three points. Both teams traded baskets across the halfway mark of the third quarter but slowly but surely Zoe Piller was taking over this game. Piller had the first nine on the Spartans third quarter points and after a Kath Van Bennekom layup, Tampa was back in the lead 45-44. Embry-Riddle was able to hit a few shots in the final minute of the third to retake the lead and head into the fourth quarter up 52-47. With work to do, the Spartans wasted zero time getting themselves back into this hard fought contest. The Spartans went on a quick 5-0 to tie the game up at 52 with seven minutes remaining. Sariana Rodriguez hit a huge three to give the Spartans their first lead since early in the third quarter. The eagles responded with a three of their own to retake the lead with only four minutes to go. After some back and forth, the eagles had extended their lead out to 59-55, but Sariana Rodriguez had other plans. With under two minutes on the clock, Rodriguez finished back to back tough layups to bring the Spartans back within a possession. With .49 seconds on the clock, Kath Van Bennekom hit a huge jumper and the Spartans were back in the lead 61-60.The Eagles hit a lay of their own to retake the lead but for the fifth time this evening, Sariana Rodriguez put Tampa back in front. With under .20 seconds, Embry-Riddle was able to run down the clock and made a layup with 4.2 left in the game. The Spartans were unable to get a shot off and fell just short of their fourth comeback. 

Final: #19 Tampa 63, #16 Embry-Riddle 64

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Zoe Piller (18) and Sariana Rodriguez (19) combined for 37 points 

• Spartans had 7 made three pointers in the first half (Season High)

• Both teams had a 8+ point lead at a point of the game and a total of 19 lead changes

UP NEXT: After back to back road games, the Spartans will come back home for two straight home games this upcoming week starting on Wednesday, January 15th. Tampa Women's Basketball will host Florida Tech with tip-off scheduled for 5:30. 

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