Tampa Set to Entertain Florida Tech in SSC Basketball Doubleheader
TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa men's and women's basketball teams return to the Martinez Center to face Florida Tech in a pair of Sunshine State Conference contests on Wednesday.
The women's contest is set to tip at 5:30 p.m., followed by a 7:30 p.m., men's game between the schools.
Tampa's women enter the game with a 12-4 overall record, and are 3-4 in SSC play. The Panthers stand at 13-4 and sit atop the conference standings with a 5-2 league showing. Both teams are also listed as receiving votes in the latest installment of the WBCA NCAA Division II Coaches Poll.
The Spartans are coming off a road loss to Barry University and have dropped three of their past four games. Illyssa Vivo paces UT while averaging 12.7 points per game and 5.9 rebounds per contest. Moriah Hodge (12.4), Juliana Cavallaro (10.6) and Shamika Williams (10.4) are also in double figures, though Williams continues to be sidelined due to an injury. Sadie Oyer is coming off a 14-point effort at Barry.
The Panthers are winners of three straight games on the women's side after topping Florida Southern on Saturday. Among the victories was an 83-73 win over No. 20 Nova Southeastern on the road. Kayk Wilson leads the Panthers, averaging 15.1 points per game as Ida Gustafsson is also in double figures with 11.3.
Tampa holds a slim 30-29 lead in the all-time series as the teams split last season with each winning on their home court. The Spartans have won eight consecutive home games over the Panthers, as FIT has not defeated UT in the Martinez Center since Feb. 18, 2004.
The men's game includes a pair of teams looking to make a move in the SSC standings as both are 1-6 in league play. Tampa is 13-6 overall while Florida Tech is 7-9.
After starting the season 12-0, UT has now dropped six of its last seven contests and three straight. The lone victory during the recent string was a 69-65 overtime win against No. 21 Saint Leo. The duo of Da'Markco Foster (18.5 ppg) and Anthony Griffis (14.8 ppg) continue to lead the Spartans. In the past eight games, Tampa is shooting 39.3 percent from the field and 31.4 from 3-point range after coming in at 46.7 and 38.3 respectively in the first 12 games this season.
The Panthers are losers of eight of their last 10 games, though Saturday's contest resulted in a slim 95-92 setback versus No. 14 Florida Southern. Florida Tech's lone SSC win came on Jan. 16 against Lynn. Chris Carter leads a trio of Panthers scoring in double digits with 19.6 per game. Jermaine Jackson (17.2) and Julius Reid (15.5) are among the leading scorers as Reid also leads the squad with 6.3 rebounds per game.
Tampa owns a commanding 45-20 lead in the all-time series, though Florida Tech swept the series last season. Overall, UT has won two of the past three meetings at the Martinez Center over the Panthers.
Tickets will be available at the gate for $5. UT students and faculty/staff will be admitted for free with a valid student ID.
Live stats and a video webcast for both games will be available through TampaSpartans.tv.
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