Spartans Take First Game at Mount McKinley Invitational

FAIRBANKS, Alaska – The No. 14 University of Tampa women's basketball team opened up the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational as the team won its fifth consecutive game against opponent University of Alaska, Fairbanks.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP 

Final Score: No. 14 University of Tampa Spartans 77, University of Alaska Fairbanks Nanooks 69 

Records: Tampa (6-2), Alaska-Fairbanks (1-2) 

Location: Alaska Airlines Gymnasium || Fairbanks, Alaska

All-Time Series: This marks the 2nd meeting between these teams. Tampa leads the series at 2-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

1st QUARTER 

Tampa got off to a slow start in the beginning of the quarter. Eleanore Marciszewski would get things started with a three-point jump shot which would put the Spartans on the board after a 5-0 Alaska-Fairbanks run. Marciszewski would also be the one to put 9 points on the board to help the Spartans. Tampa fought hard throughout the quarter but could not find a way to take the lead. || Score: 22-21 Alaska-Fairbanks 

2nd QUARTER 

Spartans and the Nanooks battle throughout the quarter, tying on multiple occasions. This is what we expected the Spartans to look like, proving themselves to be reckoned with. Aliyah Abney secured the second quarter by shooting and scoring a two-point layup with half a second to go before the buzzer went off. Marciszewski leads the game in the half with 14 points and Mya Giusto leads the game with 4 assists. || Score: 38-34 Tampa 

3rd QUARTER 

This quarter started off with Tampa having the ball. Tampa found their rhythm, shooting an overall of 22 points in the 3^rd. The Spartans took control of the game, forcing the Nanooks to trail by 15 points.  The team had an average field goal percentage of 50% and was also able to take advantage of the quarter with 5 assists and 6 turnovers. Melijah Sullivan accomplished 2 of those 6 turnovers. || Score: 60-45 Tampa 

4th QUARTER  

Spartans kept the lead of the game with breeze. Dori Nagy and Abney both had 4 rebounds which contributed to the team's success. The Nanooks fought back till the very last second by just could not take back their lead. The Spartans would seal the win with a 8-0 run. || Final: 77-69 Tampa 

INSIDE THE STATS 

• Abney led the team with 11 rebounds and 4 offensive rebounds.
• Giusto had a total of 11 assists and not too far behind, Nagy with 5 assists.
• Antosh would shoot 100 percent from the field.

BEYOND THE BOX 

• Today's result marks the Spartans' fifth straight win. 

NEXT UP: The Spartans stay at Fairbanks, Alaska for the Thanksgiving week. The next opponent they will take on is Southern Nazarene. Their game is scheduled for Friday at 5:00 p.m.

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