Free Throws Push Spartans Past Barry

TAMPA, Fla. - After being held scoreless in the first half, Sheena Walton scored 13 points in the second half and came within one rebound of her seventh double-double of the season to lead the University of Tampa women's basketball team (12-3, 5-1 SSC) to a 46-41 victory over Sunshine State Conference opponent Barry University (11-5, 2-3 SSC).

Both teams struggled to find their form in the first half as Tampa outscored Barry 20-19 with neither team shooting above 36% from the field. Erica Woodard scored eight of her 10 points and pulled down five rebounds in the first 20 minutes of play for the Spartans.

The Bucs came out in the second half on a 5-0 run to take a 24-20 lead in the first minute of the half, before the Spartans went on an 8-0 run of their own to take the lead at 28-24 with 13 minutes remaining in the game. Barry stayed with Tampa the rest of the way, but was never able to make enough of a run to overtake the Spartans.

Walton finished with a team-high 13 points and nine rebounds, as Woodward and Alexa Kane both recorded 10 points and eight rebounds in the win. Walton also blocked three shots to mark her 46th consecutive game with at least one block. Tampa finished the night 16-21 from the free throw line while making 14-42 shots from the field.

Tampa returns to the floor on Wednesday when they host Florida Southern in the first game of a men's and women's doubleheader. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm.