Spartans Stay Perfect With Win Against Panthers

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans women's basketball team ran away with a win over the Florida Tech University Panthers, 91-54, to stay perfect on the season.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: University of Tampa Spartans 91, Florida Tech Panthers 54

Records: Tampa (4-0), Florida Tech (2-4).

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series 42-35.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

Sophomore Mya Giusto went a perfect 3-3 from deep in the first quarter, scoring 10 points to lead the Spartans. Junior Erin Antosh was also perfect from the field in the quarter, going 2-2 from the field and nailing all three of her free throws, scoring seven points. Graduate student LaShayla Wright-Ponder and Junior Melijah Sullivan led Tampa with three rebounds apiece. The Spartans went on a 19-5 run to close the quarter with 29-13 lead. Score: 29-13 Tampa

2nd QUARTER

The Spartans again flexed their muscles, outscoring the Panthers 21-11 to extend their lead to 24. Senior Terri Battle needed just seven minutes in the quarter to score eight points and grab four rebounds, leading Tampa in both categories for the quarter. In a mirror of the first quarter, the Spartans used an 11-2 run in the final five minutes to extend their lead. Senior Julia Ingram was 2-3 from beyond the arc in the quarter, Giusto again added a three-point basket of her own, and Senior Aliyah Abney dished out three assists to lead all players in the second frame. Score: 50-26 Tampa

3rd QUARTER

Battle again dominated for the Spartans, shooting 2-2 from the field and 3-4 from the free throw line for seven points scored. She also grabbed five rebounds in the quarter to give her nine for the game, officially placing her on double-double watch. She added two assists. Ingram and Sullivan joined Battle in shooting perfection for the quarter, going 3-3 from the field including 2-2 from three and 2-2 from the field, respectively. Sullivan also added two assists. Score: 76-41 Tampa

4th QUARTER

Junior Silvia Ferreiros tied Battle for the scoring lead in the quarter with five points apiece. They also grabbed three rebounds apiece, giving Battle 12 for the game and her first double-double of the season. She led all scorers in the game with 20 points and all rebounders. Score 91-54 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS

• The Spartans had three scorers in double-digits: Terri Battle (20), Julia Ingram (17), and Mya Giusto (13).
• Tampa had four players sink two or more threes: Ingram (5-6), Giusto (4-4), Silvia Ferreiros (2-4), Audrey Ramsey (2-4). Melijah Sullivan added one as well.
• UT's bench scored 48 of the Spartans 91 points.
• UT shot 54% from the field, 64% from three, and 79% from the line.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Terri Battle earned her first double-double of her career with a 20-12-3 stat line.
• Battle's points and rebounds were career-highs.
• Giusto also had a career-high in points with her 13. 
• UT shot 64% from the three (14-22), their highest mark of the season.
• UT starts their season 4-0 for the third time since the 2014-2015 season.

UP NEXT: Tampa will host the Florida Southern College Moccasins in the Sunshine State Conference Quarterfinals. The game is slated for Tuesday, March 16 at 5:00 p.m.

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