Tampa Continues to Dominate SSC Tournament Play and Advances to SSC Finals

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's basketball team defeated Saint Leo in the semifinals of the Sunshine State Conference tournament.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score: Tampa 72, Saint Leo 57

Records: Tampa Spartans (24-3, 19-1 SSC), Saint Leo Lions (15-15, 10-10 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 85-16.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter || The first quarter was controlled by the hot Tampa offense that shot 63.6% from the field. The scoring was led by junior guard Julia Ingram who hit two threes, and junior forward Dori Nagy who had two baskets and contributed five rebounds for the Spartans. || 18-10 UT

2nd Quarter || Tampa's defense continued their dominant play from last game as they were able to limit the Lions to only 22 points in the first half. Tampa also led the rebounding battle as they grabbed 21 rebounds in the first half. Both teams looked to take care of the ball as each squad limited their turnovers in the first half of regulation. || 31-22 UT

3rd Quarter || Despite getting off to a hot start, the Spartans offense slowed down in the third quarter as Saint Leo narrowed the gap and went on to take a one-point lead heading into the final quarter of play. Nagy led the scoring in the third quarter for Tampa with four points. || 40-39 SLU

4th Quarter || Melijah Sullivan looked to takeover the game in the fourth quarter. Sullivan fueled the Tampa offense by scoring 12 points in the fourth, giving her 20 points in the game. Alijah Abney and Kris Nelson would also get hot as they each scored six to help the Spartans regain the lead. An additional six points from Nagy would help the Spartans maintain their lead and ensure the win for Tampa. || 72-57 UT

INSIDE THE STATS:

· Four Spartans scored in double-digits figures: Melijah Sullivan (20), Dori Nagy (16), Kris Nelson (10), Alijah Abney (13)

· Sullivan finished the game with 20 points while adding six rebounds.

· Abney finished the night with 13 points and eight rebounds.

· Nagy led Spartan rebounders with 10 and also contributed 16 points.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will advance to the finals of the Sunshine State Conference tounrmanet as they take on the Eckerd College Tritons. The game is set for a 1 p.m. tipoff on Sunday, March 8.

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