Nagy and Wright-Ponder Both Record Double-Doubles to Propel Spartans Past Buccaneers

Tampa, Fla. – The 13th ranked University of Tampa Spartans hosted the Barry University Buccaneers for a Saturday Sunshine State Conference battle. The Spartans offense used a strong offensive performance and ran away with an 82-52 lead.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: #13 Tampa 82, Barry 52

Records: University of Tampa Spartans (21-3, 18-0 SSC), Barry Buccaneers (8-17,5-13 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-time Series: The Spartans have a lead in the all-time series at 50-25.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter | The Bucs would jump out to an early lead and get up 6-2 on the Spartans as Chiara Fusari would knock down back-to-back threes. After the early lead for BU, UT would come back and jump out to a 16-8 lead. The Spartans would continue to build on the lead at the finished the quarter up 10. || Tampa 22-Barry 12

2nd Quarter | With 5:55 left in the second quarter, the game was still within 10 points, but the Spartans started a run to end the half. At the 5:55 mark, the Spartans would go on a 12-0 run to gain total control of the game before Barry ended the half with a three-pointer. || Tampa 43-Barry 24

3rd Quarter | Tampa would continue to dominate the game as they would outscore Barry 21-11 in the quarter. The Spartans were efficient on offense as they would shoot 72.7% in the quarter, while only allowing the Bucs to shoot at a 27.3 clip. || Tampa 64-Barry 35

4th Quarter | The final quarter was evenly matched as UT would outscore BU 18-17. Melijah Sullivan led the way in the quarter, scoring eight points. || Tampa 82-Barry 52

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dori Nagy led the way for the Spartans as she recorded a double-double, scoring 21 points and pulling in 13 rebounds.
• LaShayla Wright-Ponder also finished with a double-double, as she had 20 points and would also pull in 13 rebounds.
• Melijah Sullivan was the third Spartan to score double figures, finishing the game with 14 points.
• Kris Nelson finished the game with six assists.
• As a team, Tampa shot at a 58.2 percentage, while holding Barry to a 30.6 percentage.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The 18th victory in conference play ties an SSC record for most conference wins in a single season.
• Tampa has scored over 80 points for the third time this season and the second game in a row it has happened.

UP NEXT: Tampa will be home on Wednesday, February 26th, as they host the Florida Southern College Moccasins. This game will mark senior night for the Spartans. The game is set to begin at 5:30 p.m.

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