Spartans Tame Lions in Overtime Win

SAINT LEO, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's basketball team prevails over the Lions in an overtime win.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score: Tampa 72, Saint Leo 66

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (5-3, 4-0 SSC), Saint Leo University Lions (4-6, 1-3 SSC)

Location: Saint Leo, Fla. || Marion Bowman Activities Center

All-Time Series: Tampa leads Saint Leo in the series history 83-16, as Tampa is currently on a nine-game winning streak.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter | The Lions were the first team on the board with two quick baskets to put them up 4-0. For the Spartans, LaShayla Wright-Ponder put in the first basket assisted from Kris Nelson. Shooting 56 percent for the three-point line this season, Nelson drained a three at the top of the key that gave Tampa a 11-7 lead. Tampa closed the quarter with a two-point lead. || Tampa 15, Saint Leo 13

2nd Quarter | The second quarter mostly consisted of turnovers committed by both teams. Saint Leo's defense had the Spartans limited on baskets. The majority of Tampa's points came from the line made by sophomore Melijah Sullivan. Wright-Ponder finished the first half in double-digits with 10 points. || Tampa 23, Saint Leo 29

3rd Quarter | Wright-Ponder kept her hot shooting going as she opened the second half up with a layup assisted by Sullivan. Tampa continued to call Wright-Ponder's number as she scored their first eight points of the half. The Spartans went on a 7-0 run that gave them the lead back from a three-point made by Julia Ingram. Attacking the basket, Sullivan dished it off to Wright-Ponder which allowed her to score her 20^th point of the game. Dori Nagy came alive in the quarter as she helped the Spartans close the quarter with a four-point lead. || Tampa 47, Saint Leo 43

4th Quarter | The dynamic duo of Nagy and Wright-Ponder started the final quarter off with high-quality jumpers made by both. Nelson drained another deep three-pointer that gave Tampa their biggest lead of the game, nine. Saint Leo's Alani Gallagher was a problem for the Spartans all night, however Tampa stayed in the game as the quarter finished tied. || Tampa 58, Saint Leo 58

Extra Time | Gallagher opened up overtime with a made layup. Tampa went on an 8-0 run contributed by the two bigs Nagy and Wright-Ponder. Late-game shots made by Nelson helped the Spartans close out the game with the win. || Tampa 72, Saint Leo 66

INSIDE THE STATS:

• LaShayla Wright-Ponder recorded a season-high in points with 32.
• Dori Nagy recorded another double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
• Melijah Sullivan recorded a season-high in assists with 12.
• Three Spartans scored in double-digits figures: LaShayla Wright-Ponder, Dori Nagy, and Kris Nelson with 10.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Dori Nagy has four double-doubles so far in the season.
• The Spartans are undefeated in the conference, 4-0.

UP NEXT: Tampa continues their road game streak as they will travel to Melbourne, Fla to participate in the Florida Tech Holiday Classic on Thursday, December 14, 2019.

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