Tampa Moves Into Women’s Basketball Top-10
LILBURN, Ga. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team has continued its rise in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) top-25, taking the No. 10 spot in the newest release.
At No. 10, Tampa has achieved its highest ranking in program history, eclipsing its previous best of No. 13 from Dec. 15, 2009.
The Spartans remain perfect on the season at 10-0, setting a program record for consecutive wins to start a season. Tampa's most recent win was a 52-49 triumph over then-No. 23 Rollins College in its Sunshine State Conference opener.
UT achieved its first ranking of the season on Dec. 11, coming in at No. 24 after starting the year unranked. The Spartans were previously listed at No. 16 before making the top-10 leap.
Tampa is among two Sunshine State Conference schools in the national rankings, joined by No. 21 Rollins College. Nova Southeastern is listed as receiving votes.
The Spartans have a quartet of players in double figures, led by Illyssa Vivo and her 14.5 points per game. Moriah Hodge (12.0), Shamika Williams (12.0) and Juliana Cavallaro (11.0) are all averaging double digits as the staple for UT has been its defense that is holding opponents to an average of 51.8 points per game.
Under UT's all-time winningest women's basketball coach, Tom Jessee, the Spartans are no stranger to the national polls as UT has been ranked in five of the past six seasons. It also marks the 24th week in the rankings for the Jessee-led Spartans.
Tampa currently ranks ninth in the nation in scoring defense. Additionally, the Spartans are first in win-loss percentage (100) and second in personal fouls per game (11.9). Vivo is also No. 50 in assist/turnover ratio at 1.71.
Tampa returns to action at Eckerd on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., in its first SSC road contest of the season
Live stats and a webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.com.
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