Spartans Defeat Badgers of Spring Hill in Home Opener

TAMPA, Fla.  – The University of Tampa women's basketball hosted Spring Hill College in their season and home opener. The Spartans defeated the Badgers with a final score of 69-62.  

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Tampa 69, Spring Hill College 62  
Records: Spartans (1-0), Badgers (0-1)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series record over the Badgers 2-0.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | Staja Tyghter led the Spartans offensively in the first quarter after tallying five points. Tyghter also recorded six rebounds while collecting one block. As a team, the Spartans shot 50 percent on three pointers and 28.6 percent from the field. Heading in to the second quarter the Spartans trailed the Badgers 14-10.

2nd Quarter | In the second quarter, UT dominated on offense with 24 points compared to Spring Hill who recorded 17. Junior Emily Eshoo led the way for the Spartans with 15 points, followed by fellow classman Staja Tyghter with eight. Tyghter also led the team on rebounds with seven. Heading into the locker room, the Spartans took the lead over the Badgers 34-31.

3rd Quarter | To start the second half, coach Tom Jessee used the same starting five for Tampa. Spring Hill took the court well rested and with fresh legs, as the Badgers were the first team back on the board. However, Tampa was quick to respond when sophomore Rachel Warden drained a three making it 37-36 heading into the first media timeout. Senior Karma Jeremie logged four points in the third in addition to an assist to Eshoo who sank a three. Jeremie also recorded four rebounds for the Spartans, matched by Molly Franson also with four. To end the third Tampa held the lead 50-46.

4th Quarter | Tampa continued to dominate the offensive side of the ball in the fourth, when Griffin Dempsey downed the first three points of the quarter, closely followed by Warden with another three. Eshoo came alive in the 4th quarter as she tallied eight points and seven rebounds. The Badgers put up a good fight, but the Spartans took the victory with a final score of 69-62.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Eshoo was the leading point scorer with 26 points. She also ended the game 8-8 from the line. This marked her first game as a Spartan.
• Tyghter was the second leading point scorer with 15 points and nine rebounds. 
• As a team, the Spartans shot 40.7 percent from the field and recorded 40 rebounds and 16 assist. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:. 

• Two Spartans scored in double figures, Eshoo with 26 points, and Tyghter with 15.  

UP NEXT:
UT will host the University of West Georgia tomorrow, November 11, with the game slated to start at 6:00 p.m. Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.

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