Spartans Stay Winning, Advance To Sunshine State Conference Championship

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa Spartans women's basketball team secured a victory against the Saint Leo University Lions in the closing seconds, punching a ticket to the Sunshine State Conference Championship game for the second year in a row.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: University of Tampa Spartans 71, Sain Leo University Lions 67

Records: Tampa (6-0), Saint Leo (3-3).

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: Tampa leads the all-time series 86-16.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

Junior Melijah Sullivan was hot as ever in the first, going a perfect 5-5 from the field to lead the Spartans in scoring with 11 points on the quarter. Sophomore Mya Giusto was right behind her with a 3-4 shooting effort of her own, good for eight points. The first quarter was relatively ho-hum, with the Spartans leading after one. Score: 23-19 Tampa

2nd QUARTER

The second quarter was a low-scoring affair. Only four Spartan scored: Junior Erin Antosh, Senior Terri Battle, Senior Dori Nagy, and Sullivan. They each had two points. Both Nagy and Sullivan grabbed four boars in the second. The Lions tied the game, 31-31, with 1:32 left. Score: 31-31 Tie

3rd QUARTER

The third period was a case of trading runs: The Lions opened the quarter with a 13-3 run, and the Spartans answered right back with a 14-2 run of their own in the closing minutes to retake the lead, 48-46. Senior Aliyah Abney shot 2-4 in the period and sank a three-point shot to score six points. Nagy, Freshman Audrey Ramsey, and Sullivan each scored three points. Nagy entered the fourth quarter needing a single rebound for the double-double. Score: 48-46 Tampa

4th QUARTER

The Spartans and Lions played a tight game of trading blows with seven lead changes in the final frame. Ramsey paved a path forward, scoring seven points on 3-3 shooting, with a three-point basket to boot. Nagy was also nearly perfect in the quarter, shooting 2-3 for six points and grabbing two rebounds, giving her 11 for the game and a double-double. Sullivan pitched in four points on 2-2 shooting and Giusto and Senior Julia Ingram each had two. Nagy hit the game-winner, a layup and-one with 20 seconds left. Score: 71-67 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS

• UT's bench came to play and was the difference in the game, outscoring the Lions 25-10.
• In her first appearance this season, Dori Nagy earned the double-double with a 13-11-3 stat line.
• Melijah Sullivan led all scorers with 20 points on 8-13 shooting. She nearly secured the double-double with eight boards in the game. She also had two assists and a steal.
• Audrey Ramsey did her damage off the bench, scoring 10 points on 4-8 shooting (2-4 from three). She also dished out three assists.

BEYOND THE BOX

• The Spartans head back to the Sunshine State Conference Championship game for the second year in a row.

UP NEXT: The Spartans advance to the Sunshine State Conference Championship and play the Palm Beach Atlantic University Sailfish in Tampa. The game is scheduled for Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

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