No.8 Tampa Wins First Home Game of New Year in Decisive Fashion
TAMPA, FL– The No.8 University of Tampa women's basketball team returned home and defeated conference opponent in comfortable fashion
INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final Score: No.8 University of Tampa Spartans 71, Rollins College Tars 44
Records: Tampa (14-1,6-1) , Saint Leo (6-8,1-6)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, FL
All-Time Series: The Spartans trail the Tars in the overall series by a close margin, with a 51-56-0 record.
HOW IT HAPPENED
1st QUARTER
The matchup began great defensive play by both teams to keep each off the board in their first possessions. The Tars netted the first three points of the game, but the Spartans answered right back with two of their own. The two conference foes were trading points, and the lead, back and forth, with each offense scoring early in the quarter. With just over three and a half minutes left in the first, the Spartans took a two point lead behind Sydney Kin going 1-1 on the line. Tampa's lead was built to four points, the biggest lead for either team, with two minutes left in the quarter. The Spartan offense netted a few late points to cushion their lead headed into the second. | Score: 19-13 (Tampa)
2nd QUARTER
The second 10 minutes began with Melijah Sullivan netting her 10th point of the game, after a pass from Audrey Ramsey to set up the scoring chance. After Ramsey netted a shot of her own to put Tampa on an 8-0 run, the Tars were forced to call a timeout. The Spartans' 10 point lead was slowly cut into by Rollins, with the lead down to four points in the third minute of play. Sullivan's great play continued, netting a jump shot to build the Tampa lead to seven. Mya Giusto netted the first three point shot for the Spartans right after to get the lead back to 10 points. Tampa's great play in the first half put them up by ten heading into halftime. | Score: 36-26 (Tampa)
3rd QUARTER
The second half opened with Tampa on the defensive side of the ball. Giusto netted the first points for the Spartans in the second half to keep the 10 point lead. Tampa kept the Tars scoreless for four minutes early in the quarter, also going on an 8-0 run during that time. The Spartans built their lead to 16 points about halfway through the third. With just under three minutes left in the quarter, the Spartans had a 20 point lead. The Spartans went into the final quarter of play with a comfortable 24 point lead.| Score: 55-31 (Tampa)
4th QUARTER
The final 10 minutes began with Alani Gallagher netting a two point jump shot for the Spartans. With just over four and a half minutes to go, the Spartans had a 25 point lead. With Tampa up by 23 points, they began calling on the youth of the team. Freshman Adeline Kent came off the bench and netted points of her own. Erin Antosh came off the bench earlier in the matchup, and played very well, netting 14 points in the contest. Overall, the Spartans' attack on both sides of the ball and depth of the team was too much for the Tars. | Score: 71-44 (Tampa)
INSIDE THE STATS
- Sullivan netted a team leading 20 points
- Giusto recorded a team leading 7 rebounds
- Giusto recorded a team leading 5 assists
BEYOND THE BOX
- Sullivan averages 14 points a game on the season
- Tampa shoots 51% from the floor
NEXT UP: The Spartans return to road play on Wednesday as they travel to Nova Southeastern to take on the Sharks at 5:30p.m.