Spartans Beat Bucs For 2-0 Start

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans women's basketball team welcomed the Barry University Buccaneers for their second game of the season, earning a 66-44 victory en route to a 2-0 start.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: University of Tampa Spartans 66, Barry University Buccaneers 44

Records: Tampa (2-0), Barry University Buccaneers (4-3).

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series 51-25.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

Four players scored in the opening five minutes: Junior Erin Antosh, Freshman Audrey Ramsey, Graduate Student LaShayla Wright-Ponder, and Junior Melijah Sullivan. The Spartans rode a team effort for a cool 8-1 score with 4:43 left in the first quarter. Sullivan led all scorers in the first with six points on 3-4 shooting. Wright-Ponder was second with four points but led the team with three bounds. Score: 16-10 UT

2nd QUARTER

Sullivan and Wright-Ponder continued to lead the Spartans, scoring eight of Tampa's 12 points in the second quarter. Sullivan added three assists. Freshman Jaida Burgess and Senior Anna Popovic each grabbed three rebounds. Tampa turned the ball over only once in the quarter. Score: 28-14 UT

3rd QUARTER

The Spartans cruised through the third quarter, never relinquishing their double-digit lead. Sullivan again led the way, scoring six points and nailing both free throw attempts. Senior Julia Ingram scored her first points of the game as well, a three-point basket with 1:42 left to give Tampa a 19-point lead, their largest of the game. The Buccaneers went on a 6-0 run to end the quarter. Score: 45-32

4th QUARTER

Ramsey came alive in the fourth, converting two of three shots from beyond the arc. She was the second leading Spartan scorer, behind Wright-Ponder, who dominated the quarter with a perfect 4-4 shooting line for nine points. She also grabbed four rebounds to give her 11 on the game, notching the double-double. An 8-0 run to close the game gave the Spartans a 20-point lead. Score: 66-46 UT

INSIDE THE STATS

• LaShayla Wright-Ponder and Melijah Sullivan led the Spartans in scoring with 19 and 18 points, respectively. Sullivan added five assists and two steals.
• UT had four players log five or more rebounds: Wright-Ponder (11), Sullivan (7), Erin Antosh (6), and Aliyah Abney (4). Anna Popovic (4) just missed the mark.
• UT dominated in the paint, outscoring the Buccaneers 38-18.
• UT enjoyed an all-around scoring effort, with 8/11 players registering a point on the game.

BEYOND THE BOX

• LaShayla Wright-Ponder was a force off the bench, needing only 25 minutes to log her first double-double of the season.
• UT has started their season 2-0 for the third time in the last four seasons.

UP NEXT: The Spartans are on the road for the first time this season, traveling to St. Leo, Fla. to take on the St. Leo University Lions. Tipoff is at 5:00 p.m.

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