Spartans Get Revenge on Florida Tech

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team avenged an early season loss at Florida Tech with a 67-56 victory over the Panthers. The Spartans improve to 17-4 and 9-2 in the Sunshine State Conference while FIT falls to 10-11 and 2-8 in league play.

The Panthers controlled the momentum for the first 13 minutes of the game as they led by as many as nine points. After taking their first lead at the 6:53 mark, Tampa stretched its advantage to 27-22 at the 1:06 mark. Florida Tech responded with a 7-2 run to end the half, capped off by a driving layup at the buzzer by Kristen Dixon.

Florida Tech came out in the second half with a pair of free throws before UT took the lead, which it would hold for good. The contest stayed within two possessions until Tampa stretched its lead to nine with 5:39 remaining.

The Spartans allowed Florida Tech to keep some hope in the final minutes as UT was just 8-16 from the free throw line in the final two minutes of regulation. Despite the struggles from the line, Tampa's defense was able to pull through for the victory.

DeShaydia Mackey led a group of five Spartans that scored in double figures as she added 15. Hailee Sullivan and Brittany Ridley each added 13 off the bench as Erica Woodard and Sheena Walton chipped in 10.

Woodard and Walton completed their efforts with 10 rebounds apiece as they recorded a double-double. Sullivan and Ridley each had three assists to lead the Spartans as well. Mackey, Kane and Sullivan turned in a pair of steals apiece for team honors.

Tampa outshot Florida Tech by a 43.8 to 38 percent clip and also connected on six three pointers. While the Panthers were 14-18 (.778) from the line, UT was 19-37 (.514).

The Spartans will now hit the road for a pair of games as they travel to Saint Leo on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m., meeting with the Lions.