Spartans Unable to Survive Shark Attack

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: The University of Tampa women's basketball team traveled to Fort Lauderdale to take on the Nova Southeastern Sharks and were defeated 72-66. 

Final: University of Tampa 66, Nova Southeastern 72  
Records: Spartans (3-1, SSC 1-1), Sharks (3-1, SSC 2-0)
Location: Rick Case Arena | Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
All-time Series: UT leads the all-time series record over Nova 26-15.
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HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | After a made free throw from Karma Jeremie, Faith Sanders was the next Spartan to score on a deep three pointer. Rachel Warden also recorded her first points of the game with a three point shot. The Sharks continued their offensive bout and kept the Spartans at a five point defecit for the majority of the quarter. At the end of the quarter, the Spartans trailed the Sharks 21-14. 

2nd Quarter | Nova recorded the first points of the second quarter on a layup and continued to dominate offensively as they led by as many as 13 with five minutes left in the quarter. Despite a small offensive run by the Spartans, the Sharks maintained their lead and went into halftime leading 35-24. Sanders led all Spartans in the first two quarters with 11 points. 

3rd Quarter | The Sharks came out with the same momentum they went in to halftime with, increasing their lead to as many as 18 points with 5:33 left in the third quarter. Jeremie was the leading point scorer in the third quarter as she recorded eight points and two steals.  

4th Quarter | Both teams remained scoreless for nearly a minute to open the fourth quarter. Lauren Kotey was sent to the line after being fouled, making both of her free throws. The Spartans went on a run that would cut the Sharks 20 point lead to a 14 point lead. Following an offensive run by Aliyah Abney, the Spartans came within nine points of the Sharks with 42.8 seconds left on the clock. Despite a valiant effort by the Spartans, the Sharks held on for the win 72-66.   

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Abney was the leading point scorer with 19 points, six rebounds, and two steals.
• Jeremie was second with 14 points six rebounds, and three assits.
• As a team, the Spartans shot 51.1 percent from the field.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Abney recorded a career high 19 points.

UP NEXT:
UT will host Nyack College in the Bob Martinez Athletics Center on Friday November 24th slating a 1 pm start time. Live stats and a live video webcast will be provided through www.tampaspartans.com.