Spartans Cruise Past Rollins in SSC Matchup

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Women's Basketball team mopped the floor on Rollins University. The Spartans now increase their winning streak to four. 

Final: Tampa Spartans 65, Rollins Tars 39 

Records: University of Tampa (16-3, SSC 7-1), Rollins College (4-9, SSC 1-7)

Location: Bob Martinez Center || Tampa, Fla. 

All-Time Series: The Spartans trail in all-time matchups against Rollins 49-56. However, the Spartans are on a two-game winning streak against Rollins which predates February 1st, 2020. 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

First Quarter: Rollins started out strong on both ends making a three-pointer and a jumper. Rollins would pressure the Spartans with a full court press making it hard for the Spartans to score. Spartans got on the scoreboard with a jumper by Aliyah Abney (#2) on the fastbreak. It was the first field goal after a two minute scoring drought. With six minutes remaining, Rollins' Asia Newsome, went up for the layup and is swatted away by Melijah Sullivan (#24). The last couple of minutes, there was a scoring drought for three minutes until Rollins' Battle (#25) scored a basket off a layup. Rollins' Nita Pluviose hit a three to close the quarter.|| Score: 15-11 (Tampa) 

Second Quarter: The Spartans came into the quarter trailing by four. A miraculous 12-0 run by the Spartans puts them up by 10 (25-15) at the 5:34 minute mark. Mya Giusto (#1) 8 pts 6 rebs 5 ast all in the second quarter as a 5'5 point guard; an impressive performance. Giusto also shot 67% from the three point line. Along with Sullivan (#24) and LaShayla Wright Ponder (#23), both hitting a couple of field goals to increase the lead.Spartans all together shot 52% from the field with the contribution of points from the bench. Rollins' Westerfield lays the ball in to end the quarter. Spartans overall, a dominating 25-8 run.|| Score: 36-25 (Tampa) 

Third Quarter: The first basket was made almost two minutes into the quarter by Rollins' Newsome. Spartans Kayla Bonilla (#0), got on the board with a deep three to increase the lead to 12 (7:38).Abney played more aggressive offensively, putting up 8 points. (2:46) Sullivan drove to the lane for the "and one"--puts the lead up to 16 (47-31). Giusto, an 81% free throw shooter, makes the free throw and puts her team up 19 with 2:22 remaining. Abney hits the deep buzzer-beater two-pointer to increase the lead to 21– the biggest margin of the quarter. II Score: 52-31 (Tampa)  

Fourth Quarter: The Spartans came out pushing the pace, going on an 8-0 run to start the half. Freshman forward Rory O'Hara (#35) hits the three to increase the lead to 29 (60-31). This was the biggest lead of the night for the Spartans. Rollins would retaliate with a 7-0 run with 3:30 remaining. Audrey Ramsey (#5) hit a couple of jumpers along with Abney continuing her hot streak, finishing the night with 16 points and four rebounds. II Final: 65-39 (Tampa) 

INSIDE THE STATS 

UP NEXT: Tampa will face Barry University Saturday, Jan. 15 at 2pm in Miami Shores, FL. 

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