Nova Southeastern Claims SSC Tourney Title from Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - Two-time defending Sunshine State Conference tournament champion University of Tampa suffered a loss 53-47 loss to Nova Southeastern in the 2008 Wendy's Sunshine State Conference Tournament championship game. UT drops to 24-6 while Nova Southeastern improves to 25-5.

In a defensive battle, the Spartans took the edge in the first half as they took a 20-14 lead to halftime. In the second half, Nova Southeastern went on a 9-2 run to start the half and seize the momentum. The Sharks kept their advantage, holding off the Spartans to claim their first SSC tourney title.

DeShaydia Mackey led Tampa with 15 points while Sheena Walton added 11. Erica Woodard had a team-high nine rebounds while Alexa Kane added 10. Walton became the fourth player in Spartan history to grab 1,000 rebounds in her career as she currently has 1,005.

Mackey also led Tampa with five assists while Kane and Walton had two steals apiece. Walton, UT's all-time blocks leader, had four on the day.

Tampa now awaits word on the 2008 NCAA II South Regional as it expects to earn its third straight bid.