Spartans Bury Panthers in SSC Weekend Matchup

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The No. 21 University of Tampa women's basketball continued their play on the road with a decisive win against the Florida Tech Panthers.

Final Score: No. 21 University of Tampa Spartans 65, Florida Tech Panthers 38

Records: Tampa Spartans (15-3, 6-1 SSC), Florida Tech Panthers (2-11, 0-8 SSC) 

Location: Clemente Center || Melbourne, Fla. 

All-Time Series: This marks the 78th meeting between the two programs, the Spartans hold the overall series lead 43-35.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

First Quarter: The first quarter opened up with a battle between the two teams. The Panthers opened the scoring, but Erin Antosh made two free throws to get the Spartans within one. The Spartans were trailing by three with 4:25 left to play in the quarter. Aliyah Abney made a jump shot with 2:57 left to play to get the Spartans in lead 12-11. The Spartans offense finished the quarter strong and earned the lead headed into the second. || Score: 20-13 Tampa

Second Quarter: The second quarter opened with Melijah Sullivan making two free throws to extend the Spartans lead to seven points. The teams continued to battle in the second quarter, with both teams playing good defense. Overall, the Spartans offense proved too much for the Panthers in the first half. Sullivan, Abney, Eleanore Marciszewski and Mya Giusto played very well the first two quarters, all scoring eight points. || Score: 40-20 Tampa

Third Quarter: The Panthers opened the scoring once again but, that did not bother the Spartans. Kayla Bonilla opened scoring for the Spartans, making a three-point shot from the corner. The Spartans offense continued to score points and hold the Panthers off of the board. The Spartans cruised into the fourth quarter with the lead. || Score: 55-27 Tampa

Fourth Quarter: The Spartans continued their excellent play and earned the win over the Panthers in the last 10 minutes.  || Score: 65-38

INSIDE THE STATS 

• Giusto led the Spartans in scoring, with 15 points.
• Abney and Bonilla each recorded eight points.
• Tampa would outscore Florida Tech 22-14 inside the paint.

BEYOND THE BOX 

• The Spartans are now on a three-game win streak.

UP NEXT: The Spartans will return home and continue conference play, with a matchup against Rollins College on January 12^th at 5:30 p.m.

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