Spartans Come Up Short in Home Opener

TAMPA, Fla.  – The University of Tampa women's basketball team played their first home game of the season as they took on conference competitor Nova Southeastern. The Spartans battled the Sharks but came up short. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 52, Nova Southeastern 58

Records: Spartans (1-2, 0-1 SSC), Sharks (3-1, 2-0 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa owns the all-time series with Nova Southeastern. With the Sharks win, it makes the series 25-17. 
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HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter | The Spartans took an early lead as Faith Sanders gave UT its first points with a jumpshot which was closely followed by a Karma Jeremie layup. Jeremie was a perfect 2-for-2 in the first half as the junior contributed five points. The Spartans shot just over 69 percent from the field while the Sharks only shot 43 percent. Morgan Lumb came off the bench with 1:34 on the clock and made a layup to increase the Spartans lead. The Spartans maintained their lead through the entire first quarter and headed into the second quarter leading with a score of 20-14.

2nd Quarter | UT and Nova remained scoreless in the first three minutes until the Sharks hit a three point jumper to cut the deficit to three points. The Sharks continued to apply pressure as the Spartans remained scoreless until the clock hit 4:38. Sanders ended the Spartans dry spell with back to back jump shots increasing the lead to 24-19 with three minutes left in the quarter. Lumb came off the bench again and forced a turnover and knocked in a three point jumper. Senior Elena deAlfredo contributed a late three point jumper to increase the Spartans lead to 30-22. The Sharks countered with a three point shot of their own and made the score 30-25 heading into half time. 

3rd Quarter | After the halftime break, the Sharks were on the scoreboard first with a three point jumper to come within two points of the Spartans. The Sharks did not back down as they remained within two points of the Spartans for three minutes and took over the lead with a three point shot. The Spartans and the Sharks battled back and fourth and ended the quarter tied at 43-43. 

4th Quarter | A Nova layup started the quarter and the Sharks took the lead. deAlfredo tied the score with a layup and the Sharks responded with a layup of their own, increasing their lead once again. A three point jump shot by the Sharks increased their lead by five. After back and forth layups from both teams the Sharks began to pull away with a minute left on the clock. The Sharks ended the quarter with a free throw that would make the score 58-52.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Sanders led all Spartans with 15 points, three rebounds, and went 7-12 from the field.
• Jeremie and deAlfredo were the next leading point scorers, both contributing 13 points. 
• The Spartans shot 43 percent from the field while the Sharks shot 47 percent. 
• The Spartans bench contributed nine points. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• This is the third consecutive game deAlfredo has scored in double figures.

UP NEXT:

UT will host Ave Maria Tuesday at 5:30 pm. Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com

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