Top-Seed Spartans Advance to SSC Semifinals

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 1-seed University of Tampa Spartans and the Embry-Riddle Eagles faced off in the SSC Quarterfinals Tuesday night. This was a single-elimination game ending with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals .

Final Score: No. 1 Tampa Spartans 62 , No. 8 Embry-Riddle Eagles 52

Records: Tampa Spartans (27-5) SSC (17-3) , Embry-Riddle (11-15) SSC (11-9)

Location: Bob Martinez Center || Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series: The Spartans lead 9-4 with a six-game winning streak against Embry-Riddle, dating their last game back to Feb 5th, 2022.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter: The Eagles got off to a good start taking a five point lead shooting the ball well. That wasn't until Melijah Sullivan scored the next three baskets for the Spartans giving them a five point lead (8-3). However, the Eagles would close out the quarter with two straight baskets to only trail by one.  || Score: 8-7 (Spartans)

Second Quarter: The second quarter was an intense sequence of events, but really an eye opener for the Spartans. Although LaShayla Wright-Ponder arose and scored eight points, the Spartans gave up numerous three-pointers leaving the opponents in position to score more often than not. The Eagles shot 50% from the three-point line, making three crucial three-pointers to lead at the end of the half.  || Score: 24-23 (Eagles)

Third Quarter: The Spartans came out of the half going on a 6-0 run for that to be completely abolished by the Eagles going on an massive 14-0 run to take the lead by nine (38-29) with 4:05 remaining. However, Wright-Ponder along with some got the lead back down to one, going on a 10-2 run to end the quarter.  II Score: 40-39 (Eagles)

Fourth Quarter: The Spartans were determined to regain the lead with their season on the line. Wright-Ponder again was very present for the Spartans deemed to be the cavalry. A jumper by Wright-Ponder would give the Spartans their first lead since the third quarter (44-42) with seven minutes remaining. But the Eagles' Zaragoza scored a basket to tie the game with 3:49 left on the clock; the Spartans would retaliate. When the moment counted, the Spartans hit their free throws at a rate of 77% from the line. This helped the Spartans regain the lead due to the collective teamwork of Mya Giusto, Kayla Bonilla, and Aliyah Abney knocking down their free throws when the matter counted. Not only did the Spartans regain the lead for extended it to 10 with Abney's final two free throws to close out the Eagles.  II Final: 62-52 (Spartans)

INSIDE THE STATS

• Wright-Ponder; 23 points, 10-15FG, 7 rebounds

• Giusto; 10 points, 6 assists

• Spartans outscored the Eagles in the paint 32-16

BEYOND THE BOX

• Wright-Ponder; Second double-digit performance in five games

• Giusto; Four out five games with at least five assists

• Spartans are on a six-game winning streak

UP NEXT: Tampa will face No. 5-seed Barry University on Thursday aty 7 p.m., at the Martinez Center.