History is Made as Women's Basketball Tallies 15th Straight Win

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa Women's basketball team remained undefeated in SSC play as they defeated Saint Leo, pushing their win streak to 15. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #17 Tampa 73, Saint Leo 58 

Records: Tampa Spartans (17-3, 14-0 SSC), Saint Leo Lions (10-12, 6-8 SSC)

Location: Tampa, Fla. || Martinez Athletic Center

All-Time Series: Tampa still has a commanding lead in the all-time series with a record of 84-16.  

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter || Guard combo of Melijah Sullivan and Alijah Abney started off the game hot. The pair combined for 10 of the Spartans first 12 points. The Spartans started off hot but finished the last two minutes of the quarter scoreless. || 12-9 Tampa 

2nd Quarter || Sullivan looked to follow up her solid first quarter performance by draining five field goals, which gave her 11 points in the quarter. Tampa's defense continued their dominant play as they held the Lions shooting percentage to just 28%. Tampa led the rebounding battle as they grabbed 22 rebounds in the first half. Both teams looked to take care of the ball as each squad only recorded five turnovers in the first half of regulation. The Spartans dominated in the paint as they scored 24 of their 34 first half points around the basket. || 34-22 Tampa

3rd Quarter || An 8-2 Saint Leo run right out of the half narrowed the lead to just six for the Spartans. Tampa's offensive push was suppressed by solid defense by the Lions as the Spartans only managed to shoot 4-for-15 (26%) from the field. Sullivan gave the Spartans offense a spark with a pullup jumper with under two minutes left in the quarter. The following two possessions, Julia Ingram finished two layups under the basket off two assists from Dori Nagy. || 46-46 Tied

4th Quarter || Abney looked to takeover the game in the fourth quarter by scoring four straight baskets, including a big three-pointer to regain the lead. The offense continued to feed the hot hands, as Abney would finish the game with 19 points. Sullivan would finish with 30 points and 8 rebounds, beating her previous career high of 29, which she set last game against Rollins. Abney also set a career high of 23 while adding 12 rebounds. || 73-58 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Two Spartans scored in double-digits figures: Melijah Sullivan (30) and Alijah Abney (23).
• Sullivan finished the game with 30 points while adding 8 rebounds.
• Abney finished the night with 23 points. 
• LaShayla Wright-Ponder led Spartan rebounders with 16.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Melijah Sullivan set a new career high tonight finishing with 30 points. 
• Alijah Abney posted her first double-double of the season with 23 points, 12 rebounds.
• With tonight's win Tampa has now pushed their win streak to 15 games, dating back to December 4^th.
• The Spartans continue their dominant SSC play as they maintain their first place position in the conference standings with a record of 14-0.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will defend their home court as the Sailfish of Palm Beach Atlantic will come to town on Saturday, February 8 at 2 p.m. 

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