Tampa Overpowers Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team never trailed as it handed visiting Puerto Rico-Rio Piedras a 72-34 loss. The Spartans improve to 3-1 on the season as UPR falls to 0-3.

The Spartans opened up a 20 point lead with 5:33 remaining in the first half, and held on to a 39-22 halftime lead. The one-sided game continued its trend in the second half with the Spartans leading by 20-plus points for the final 15 minutes of the game.

Freshman Catriana Messina came off the bench to give the Spartans a hot touch from beyond the arc, connecting on 6-8 three-pointers to score a game high 18 points. Messina also led Tampa with five assists while playing a career-high 30 minutes.

Sheena Walton also scored double figures, recording 12 points with seven rebounds. Tiara Cook led UT with 11 rebounds, and missed a double-double by just one point. Walton also contributed two blocked shots while Brittany Ridley had a team-high three steals.

The Spartans now travel to Carrollton, Ga., for a pair of games at the West Georgia Thanksgiving Classic. UT will first play West Georgia on Friday at 7:30 p.m.