UT Advances to SSC Tournament Final With Blowout Victory

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 1-seed University of Tampa Spartans and the Barry Buccaneers faced off in the SSC Tournament Semifinals on Thursday night. This was a single-elimination game ending with the winner advancing to the finals.

Final Score: No. 1 Tampa Spartans 84, No. 5 Barry Buccaneers 56

Records: Tampa Spartans (28-5) SSC (18-3), Barry (16-10) SSC (12-9)

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

All-Time Series: The Spartans lead 54-25 with an eight-game winning streak against Barry, dating their last game back to Feb 12th, 2022.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter: The Spartans got off to a hot start by making over fifty percent of their shots through the quarter. Mya Giusto led the way shooting a perfect 3-3 from the field to lead all scorers with nine points. || Score: 25-13 (Spartans)

Second Quarter: The second quarter was a back and forth affair, which resulted with five different buccaneer scorers. However, the Spartans continued to extend their lead. Aliyah Abney arose and scored eight points in seven minutes of play. The Buccaneers would put up a fight however making tough shot after one another. The Buccaneers made 50% of their field goals but only shot 25% from the line.  || Score: 40-26 (Spartans)

Third Quarter: The Spartans came out of the half going on a 7-0 run to prove why they are the #1 seed in the tournament. Melijah Sullivan made four field goals and all three of her free throws to receive 11 points in ten minutes of action. The Spartans were on fire throughout the quarter making 62% of its field goals, 40% from three, and all 5 of its free throws. || Score: 63-41 (Spartans)

Fourth Quarter: The Spartans never looked back. They extended their lead to 30 points thanks to a three-ball by Audrey Ramsey. The Spartans were determined to show that although they had a little bump in the road in the quarterfinals that they came out to play and play for a shot at their seventh SSC tournament championship and to search for back-to-back title on their home court since 2006-07 season.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Sullivan; 19 points, 8-9 FG, 3-3 FT

• Wright-Ponder; 10 points, 14 rebounds

• Spartans lead for 96% of the game

BEYOND THE BOX

• Wright-Ponder; Recorded a double-double in 25 minutes of play

• Spartans recorded double the number of bench points the Buccaneers had, 44-22.

• Spartans are on a seven-game winning streak

UP NEXT: Tampa will host No. 2-seed Florida Southern on Sunday at 1 p.m., at the Martinez Center for the Sunshine State Conference Championship.