Valdosta State Defeats Tampa in NCAA Action

CLEVELAND, Miss. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team saw its season come to an end as it fell to Valdosta State University in the NCAA II South Regional by a score of 83-73. Tampa ends its year with a 24-7 record as the Blazers improve to 25-5

In the first half, Tampa enjoyed the early momentum as it built a six point lead at the 15:14 mark of the half. UT held the advantage until the 11:09 mark when VSU took a 22-20 lead. The Blazers held the lead for the remainder of the half, leading by as many as eight points before taking a 41-35 lead to the half.

Valdosta State extended its lead to 47-39 with 16:40 remaining in the second half before UT mounted a rally of its own. The Spartans then went on a 10-0 run to take a 49-47 lead with 13:25 to play.

With 8:31 remaining in the game, VSU's Leschelle Matthews connected on a three-pointer to give the Blazers the 57-55 advanatge, as it would never trail again. Tampa kept the Valdosta State lead to one possession until, at 4:43, the Blazers extended the advantage to five and then seven on the following possession.

The Lady Blazers shot an impressive 49.1 percent for the game, while the Spartans connected on 36.2 percent. Tampa out-rebounded Valdosta State 37-31, but VSU capitalized on 14 UT turnovers to edge the Sunshine State Conference club.

Sheena Walton led Tampa with 19 points as Brittany Ridley scored 15 while getting the start at point guard. Eric Woodard added 12 points and a team-high 10 rebounds while Alexa Kane scored 16.

Four Lady Blazers scored in double figures led by Matthews with 19 points. Carley Peterson added 18 points, while Kaleh Thomas dropped in 14 and Nina Risto added 10.

UT concludes its season while tying the school record with 24 victories. The NCAA appearance also marks the third straight as Tampa won a school record 71 games over the span.