Seniors Have Stellar Performances to End Regular Season

TAMPA, Fla.- The University of Tampa (11-15, 4-12) women's basketball team protected its home court during its final regular season game against Sunshine State Conference opponent, Florida Tech (17-9, 8-8) with a final score of 61-59.

The Spartans shot 57 percent from the field and 55.6 percent from 3-point range to round out the first half. Senior Jaleesa Harmon led her team with 13 points, on 5-of-6 shooting from the field for the first half. Senior Sarah Wickham was 3-of-3 in the first half scoring nine points, Kamari Smith kept the grabbed five rebounds in the first period alone.

Ashton McClairen of the Panthers drilled a 3-point basket to kick things off in the first half. The Panthers bench managed to outscore the Spartans bench 10-2, as well as gain the slight advantage in second chance points. McClairen led her team and all scorers at the half with 17 points.

The Panthers stayed close in the first session by shooting a perfect 5-5 from the free throw line. The Spartans were able to persevere through the half giving them the 35-31 advantage to end the first period. The Panthers bench kept the game close, scoring 13 points compared to Tampa's zero in the second half. Both the Spartans and the Panthers battled equally in the paint for eight points each in the second half.

The game came down to two crucial free throws and knocked down by Illyssa Vivo who shot 4-of-7 for the entire game. The Panthers did not connect on an attempt to score a final shot with .4 seconds on the clock. Three Spartans scored in double digits. Harmon led the Spartans and all scorers with 21 points.

Wickham and Vivo both finished with 15 points, while Smith contributed 10 rebounds. The Panthers were led by McClairen with 20 points. Briauna Hagins pulled down the team-highs of 12 rebounds. The final score was 61-59.

The Spartans will play again on Wednesday against Florida Southern at the Jenkins Field House in the quarterfinals of the SSC tournament. Live stats and a webcast will be available through tampaspartans.com.

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