Tampa Improves to 18 Wins on the Season With a Midweek Win Over Florida Southern

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team won a close matchup at home against the Florida Southern Mocs.

Final: No. 20 Tampa Spartans 70, Florida Southern Mocs 65

Records: University of Tampa (18-3, SSC 9-1), Florida Southern University (8-8, SSC 6-4)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center || Tampa, Fla. 

All-Time Series: The Spartans trail the Mocs in overall victories between the two programs 64-39.

HOW IT HAPPENED 

First Quarter: The first quarter opened up with a battle between both teams, each fighting to score first. Dori Nagy opened the scoring for the Spartans a few minutes into the game. About halfway through the first quarter, the Spartans needed to score some more points to earn the lead. Nagy made a field goal, putting the Spartans within two points of the Mocs. With just over two minutes left in the quarter, the Spartans offense found their rhythm. The Spartans would come back and earn the lead over the Mocs headed into the second quarter. || Score: 13-11 Tampa

Second Quarter: The second quarter began similarly to the first, with Nagy opening the scoring for the Spartans once again. The Spartans offense continued to play well in this quarter, finding the back of the net often. The Mocs were also scoring some points of their own, challenging the Spartans defense. With five minutes left to play, the score was tied at 21. Aliyah Abney tied the game at 27 with 53 seconds left, and Kayla Bonilla scored putting the Spartans ahead in the final seconds of the half. || Score: 29-27 Tampa

Third Quarter: Lashayla Wright-Ponder opened the scoring to start the third quarter. Both teams went back and forth in scoring, each finding the net in most of their possessions early in the quarter. The Spartans defense started to come alive towards the halfway point of the quarter, seemingly  keeping the Mocs off the board. With five minutes left to play, the teams were even at 40 points on the night. Despite the Spartans best efforts, the Mocs offense scored too many points in the quarter. II Score: 51- 46 Florida Southern

Fourth Quarter: The fourth quarter opened with both teams hungry to score. With just over six minutes left to play, the Spartans were trailing by one point. With five minutes left to play, Bonilla scored, and the Spartans took back the lead 56-55. The Spartans extended their lead to five points, behind Mya Giusto's field goal late in the quarter. Ultimately, the Spartans were able to hold off the Mocs and earn the win. II Final: 70-65 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS 

• Abney and Nagy each scored a team-leading 17 points  
• Sullivan and Bonilla each recorded 10 rebounds
• Nagy played for 38 minutes in tonight's matchup

BEYOND THE BOX 

• Kayla Bonilla recorded her first double-double of the season as she finished with 11 points and 10 rebounds
• Spartans extended their win streak to six games. 
• #1 in the SSC Conference 
• The Spartans outscored the Mocs in the paint 40-22

UP NEXT: The Spartans stay at home to take on the Nova Southeastern Sharks on January 22^nd at 2:00p.m.

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