Spartans Advance to Third Straight SSC Title Game

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team dominated Rollins throughout the game to register a 60-50 victory in the 2008 Wendy's Sunshine State Conference Tournament semifinals. The Spartans tied their school record of 24 victories from the 2005-06 season as they are now 24-5. Rollins ends their season at 19-10.

The two-time defending SSC tournament champions will advance with an opportunity to become the first team to win three consecutive tourney titles since Florida Southern in 1996. Since 1982, there have been just three teams to win three straight league championships.

The Spartans held the lead for the entire contest, leading by as many as 15 points. On the game, UT outshot the Tars 42.9 to 28.1 percent. Tampa also won the rebounding battle, 44 to 34.

Erica Woodard led Tampa with a team-high 18 points while DeShaydia Mackey contributed 13. Sheena Walton led the Spartans with 14 rebounds, as she now needs just one board to record her 1,000th career rebound. She looks to become the fourth UT player in Spartan to reach the milestone.

Woodard also added 11 rebounds while Walton had four blocked shots. Mackey and Brittany Ridley held team honors with three assists while four UT players had a steal.

Tampa advances to the SSC tournament championship game, where it will meet SSC regular season champion Nova Southeastern at 3:30 p.m. The game will be televised live on FSN Florida.