Piller Goes For 25, Spartans Win 8th Straight SSC Contest

Winter Park, Fla. – The University of Tampa Women's Basketball team traveled across I4 this afternoon for another Sunshine State Conference matchup with Rollins College. The Spartans were on the hunt for their eighth straight SSC win and looking to continue building off a huge ranked win on Wednesday. In a game that had everything from elite defense to high power scoring, the action never stopped. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #23 Tampa 70, Rollins 63

Records: #23 Tampa 21-4 (13-2 SSC), Rollins 7-14 (2-12 SSC)

Location: Warden Arena l Winter Park, Fla.

All-time series: This was the 95th meeting between these two programs. With the win today, Tampa has taken the lead 48-47 in the all-time series. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF:  To get this contest rolling, Audrey Ramsey drilled an elbow jumper after Zoe Piller won the tip. The Tars of Rollins came right back with a made layup and off this game went. Marissa McDonald hit her first shot of the game, a turnaround finish at the rim. Rollins was able to hit three straight big time three pointers in the first three minutes and a back and forth game exploded into a 13-6 Tars lead. Zoe Piller answered the Rollins run with a bully bucket downlow but Rollins came right back with another three. Both teams would trade baskets across the five minute mark of the first quarter until Tampa finally put together a run of stops. Tampa was able to force bad shots, two travels and Vivianne Jende came away with a steal to help Tampa claw back into this game. The Spartans finally found some offensive momentum and Kath Van Bennekom drained two deeps three's as the quarter winded down to give Tampa a 20-19 lead. The 10-0 run from the Spartans was the games biggest momentum swing as they went from down nine to up one to stay in the fight. Zoe Piller started the second quarter with a smooth layup on the lower blocks to extend the run to 12-0 Tampa. Rollins finally put an end to their four minute scoring drought but Tampa still held a 22-21 lead with eight minutes left in the first half. After a Rollins bucket, Both teams went scoreless for a few minutes due to elite defense from both sides which included another Vivianne Jende steal. Kath Van Bennekom ended the drought for the Spartans by getting to the line for two easy free throws. Rollins ended their scoreless run the same way before Marissa McDonald hit a jumper to give Tampa a 26-25 lead with five minutes left in the half. Rollins went on a small 4-0 run to take the lead but Sariana Rodriguez hit a fade away jumper and Marissa McDonald made back to back baskets around the rim. Rollins added a jumper in the final minute but McDonald had given the Spartans a three point lead.

Score: #23 Tampa 34, Rollins 31

SECOND HALF: To open the second half, Rollins came right out and nailed a three to tie the contest up at 34. Zoe Piller got the Spartans on the board with back to back finishes at the rim through contact to regive Tampa a two possession lead. Rollins was able to tie the game up at 38 but Audrey Ramsey sank a jumper to re-give Tampa the lead. Sariana Rodriguez followed her teammate up with a huge three from the corner to give Tampa a 43-38 lead. Rollins responded with a three ball of their own and back and forth we went again. By the two and half minute mark of the third quarter, Tampa had regained a 45-44 lead before Kath Van Bennekom came up big, she outmuscled her man for a steal and then drew a foul to slow down the pace of the game. Tampa forced another stop but this time it was Zoe Piller knocking down free throws to extend the Spartans lead. In the final minute of the quarter, Piller was fouled again and gave Tampa a 50-47 lead. To end the qaurter, Kath Van Bennekom drained a half court heave at the buzzer to give Tampa a 53-47 lead. To open the fourth quarter, Rollins put up a quick two points but Sariana Rodriguez answered with a jumper of her own. Tampa then started their second defensive hot streak of the game. After Rollins opening fourth quarter bucket, they were held without another point for over three minutes. During that time, Zoe Piller took over by dropping three straight layups in the paint to extend the Tampa lead eight. With over five minutes still remaining, Piller had 23 points and dominating on the inside. She then drew a foul on the defensive end for a Rollins turnover and to get to the line for two more easy points. Tampa had grown their lead to as many as 11 in the fourth quarter and with just over two minutes to play, led 68-57. The Tars tried to mount a comeback but it was too little, too late and the Spartans walked out of Winter park with a win.

Final: #23 Tampa 70, Rollins 63

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Zoe Piller dropped 25 points, closing in on 2000 for her career and 1000 for her UT career

• Kath Van Bennekom goes for 16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and a steal

• The Spartans have now won 10 straight games against Rollins   

UP NEXT: The Spartans will return home for a big time matchup with Eckerd. This contest will take place on Wednesday, February 12 with tip-off scheduled for 5:30pm. 

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