No.6 Tampa Falls To Palm Beach Atlantic In Overtime
TAMPA, FL– The No.6 University of Tampa women's basketball team drops their first game of the season
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish 79, No.6 University of Tampa Spartans 76
Records: Tampa (11-1,3-1), Palm Beach Atlantic (7-4,3-2)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, FL
All-Time Series: The Spartans have a significant 30-3-0 record in the overall series against the Sailfish.
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st QUARTER
The first game after the holiday break began with the Sailfish opening the scoring. The next few minutes would consist of great defensive play by both teams, keeping the score at 2-0. Senior Mya Giusto got the Spartans on the board with just over seven and a half minutes to play in the first quarter. Tampa's slow start proved to aid Palm Beach Atlantic, as the Sailfish built their lead to 11 points with two minutes left to play. The Sailfish's early offensive push would put them into the second quarter with the lead. | Score: 23-14 (Palm Beach Atlantic)
2nd QUARTER
The second quarter opened with Melijah Sullivan sinking a shot to keep the momentum from late in the first quarter going. The Spartans would find themselves in an eight point deficit with six minutes left before the half. Tampa cut the Palm Beach Atlantic lead to six points, causing the Sailfish to call a timeout. The Sailfish built their lead back to 10 points, forcing the Tampa offense to get something going before the end of the first half. Palm Beach Atlantic would head into the half with an 11 point lead after a great first half performance.| Score: 39-28 (Palm Beach Atlantic)
3rd QUARTER
Coming out of the half, the Spartans needed to get something going on offense. Sullivan continues her scoring, cutting into the Sailfish lead. With just over six minutes left in the third, Palm Beach Atlantic built their lead to 14 points, the biggest lead of the game. With two minutes to play, Tampa's comeback was in motion. Sullivan netted a couple points to get the Spartans within eight points of the lead. The Sailfish kept their lead throughout the quarter and headed into the final 10 minutes.
| Score: 55-45 (Palm Beach Atlantic)
4th QUARTER
The Spartans opened the quarter scoring first, and with an intensity to finish this game strong. With just under six minutes to play, the Sailfish were leading by 12 points. The Spartans cut the lead to six points with just under two minutes left to play. Tampa cut the lead into four points with 25 seconds left in regulation. Audrey Ramsey netted a buzzer beating three point shot to tie the game at 71 and send it into overtime. | Score: 71-71 (Tie)
OVERTIME
The Spartans win the tip to begin the extra time. Palm Beach Atlantic netted the first points of the extra five minutes, to gain a four point lead over Tampa. Ramsey netted another three point shot to get the Spartans within three points of the Sailfish. With 52 seconds left, Sullivan cuts the Sailfish lead to one point. The Sailfish would hold on and take the game in the extra time.| Final: 79-76 (Palm Beach Atlantic)
INSIDE THE STATS
- Sullivan netted a team leading 24 points
- Sydney Kin recorded a team leading 10 rebounds
BEYOND THE BOX
- The Spartans dropped their first game of the season
- Alani Gallagher reached 1000 career points
NEXT UP: The Spartans travel to Lynn University on New Year's Day to take on the Fighting Knights at 2:00p.m.