Balanced Effort Helps Spartans Cruise in Home Opener

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 11 University of Tampa women's basketball team defeated the University of West Alabama in the second game of the Tampa Classic.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score: No.11 Tampa Spartans 71,  West Alabama Tigers 51

Records: Tampa (2-2), West Alabama (0-1)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: This is the second all-time meeting between the two teams, which was in December 1991. The Spartans won that meeting 69-36. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

West Alabama opened the scoring after Tazsa Garret-Hammet made a solid putback. However, Tampa quickly took control after getting some good plays. One of those plays came from Dori Nagy after she got fouled on a made three-pointer, and sunk the free-throw to complete a crucial four-point play. Both teams also had a few turnovers early on. Late in the first, Danielle Delano made a big three-pointer to give Tampa an eight point lead, 16-8. Garrett-Hammett continued to be strong for West Alabama though, and brought them to double digits right afterwards. Kayla Bonilla tried a full-court shot to end the first quarter, but came up empty. The Spartans, who looked like the stronger team so far, led 16-10.

2nd QUARTER

West Alabama opened the scoring after Tampa missed on their opening chance. Tampa was able to fire right back however, maintaining their early lead. Bria Dent converted a great chance as she was fouled to put West Alabama within three. Jala Williams secured another solid three points for West Alabama after making an and-one. Tampa struggled early on to score, although they did make some solid offensive rebounds on a few of the misses. Mya Giusto found Delano wide open for an important three-pointer with a little over five minutes remaining. Aliyah Abney was on fire late in the second, she first made a great steal as West Alabama was in transition to put the Spartans up by seven, and then scored off a rebound on the next possession to give the Spartans a nine-point lead. Tampa entered halftime leading 35-24, Abney was one of the key players for the Spartans, especially with six points late in the second quarter. Nagy was the leading scorer for the Spartans, with 12 in the first half. 

3rd QUARTER

West Alabama opened the scoring once again as they converted two shots at the charity stripe after an early shooting foul. Eleanore Marciszewski got an offensive rebound, and later on that play would drain a three-point shot to extend the Spartans lead to twelve. With 5:09 remaining, Giusto recovered after slipping on a fastbreak to find Delano for a good assist to put the Spartans up by 17. Tampa proved why they are deserving of their number 11 national ranking throughout the third quarter, playing shutdown defense, and making crucial shots to gain a 24 point lead with three minutes remaining. West Alabama would miss a late buzzer-beater as Tampa maintained a 25 point lead entering the 4th quarter.

4th QUARTER

Nagy opened the scoring in the fourth, making a nice layup to put the Spartans up by 27. Despite the deficit, West Alabama kept fighting, as Naelyn Rios drew a solid foul while making a two-pointer and also converted the following free throw. With under seven minutes left, Abney made another great steal that led to a score in transition that put the Spartans up by 30. West Alabama gained some momentum late, including a three-pointer with under three minutes to go. West Alabama's run was too late, however, as Tampa managed to win 71-51. 

INSIDE THE STATS

• Nagy was the Spartan's player of the game, with 17 points and eight rebounds. She also went 7/9 from the field, leading the team in accuracy.

• Abney scored 15 and also had three steals.

• Marciszewski was the most efficient in shooting from beyond the arc, making 50% of her six shots.

• Tampa's 55 points scored in the first three quarters is the most they've scored in the opening three quarters so far in any of their first four games.

• Tampa's defense was strong, only allowing six points in the third quarter.

BEYOND THE BOX

• The last time Tampa and West Alabama faced each other, the Spartans women's basketball team didn't have a single conference title! (They won their first in 1993-94.)

NEXT UP: The Spartans face the No. 19 Union University in the fourth game of the Tampa Classic on Saturday.

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