Spartans Fall in SSC First Round

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team lost their lead late in the game, giving Rollins the opportunity to take the victory.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Rollins 56, Tampa 45
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (21-9, 15-6 SSC), Rollins College Tars (12-15, 9-12 SSC)
Location: Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.
All-Time Series: Tampa trails 47-56; however, Tampa leads in the last ten games 6-4.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter | Both teams started off the game with missed opportunities, but Emily Eshoo opened up the game for the Spartans with a three-pointer, assisted by Dori Nagy. Tampa went on 8-0 run, while Rollins did not score their first basket until the fifth minute. That first basket was scored by Rollins guard, Jaylyn Harrison. Staja Tyghter led the Spartans with ten points and Tampa maintained the lead for the rest of the Quarter.

2nd Quarter | Harrison opened up the quarter for Rollins with a three-pointer. Julia Ingram answered back for the Spartans with a three of her own. Both teams went on a scoring drought for the next three minutes. Lauren Kotey ended the drought with a jumper which was assisted by Tyghter. With five minutes remaining, neither team scored a healthy amount of points resulting in a score of 21-25. Both teams shot at least 40 percent from the field.

3rd Quarter | Rollins returned from the break, scoring the first few points of the half. Tampa did not score their first basket until two minutes into the third quarter. Three's were knocked down back-to-back by both teams. Tampa had a total of three three-pointers and Rollins had a total of two, both teams shot at least 40 percent from the long-range. The Tars took their first lead of the game in the fifth minute from a jumper by Carly McLendon. With seconds remaining on the clock, Nagy tied the score with a layup in the paint. Ingram gave the Spartans the lead by draining a three-pointer from the corner.

4th Quarter | Ingram jump-started the final quarter with a jumper, assisted by Tyghter. Rollins then went on a 12-0 run, which resulted in a seven-point lead for the Tars. The scoring drought for the home team ended with a jumper by Tyghter. Then Rollins went on another 8-0 run which pushed their lead to 11. Tyghter broke their run again by knocking down another jumper. However, time was winding down and the Spartans could not make a comeback which resulted in Rollins winning the game 56-45.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tyghter and Ingram scored in double digits. Tyghter had 15 and Ingram had 14.
• Tyghter filled the stat sheet with six rebounds, seven assists, one steal, and 15 points.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Tyghter tied her career high with seven assists.

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