Spartans Cruise Past Florida Southern to Advance to SSC Championship

TAMPA, FL – The No. 3 University of Tampa women's basketball team defeat Florida Southern to advance to the SSC Championship.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score: No. 3 University of Tampa Spartans 77, Florida Southern Moccasins 61

Records: Tampa (29-1, 21-1 SSC), Florida Southern Moccasins (15-14, 10-11 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, FL

All-Time Series: Florida Southern leads the series 43-65. However, the Spartans won the last three matchups. In their last 10 matchups, the Spartans are 6-4. The last time these times faced off was February 11th, 2023. This postseason matchup marks the third time Tampa and Florida Southern have competed against each other in the post season. The other two times, in 2021 and 2022, where Tampa defeated Florida Southern to win the Sunshine Conference Championship. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

Florida Southern came out of the gate getting onto the scoreboard with a quick 5-0 run. Tampa slowly started to get their pace going with the Moccasins now increasing their lead to seven with a three-pointer by Anna Denes. Sydney Kin awakened during this deficit, scoring the Spartans next four baskets to put the Spartans within two (18-16). With one minute remaing, Florida Southern brought the ball the court and attempted a shot that would be missed and rebounded by Tampa. Melijah Sullivan converted a fade-away jumpshot to conclude the quarter.  Score: 18-18

2nd QUARTER

Tampa, correcting the wrong doings they made in the first quarter, controlled the entire second quarter. The dynamics of the game were all in Tampa's favor as the Spartans went on a 15-5 with the help of Audrey Ramsey, hitting a three-pointer to increase the Spartan lead to 10. After this, Florida Southern would call an urgent timeout, allowing Tampa to regroup and making the necessary substitutions. Coming out the timeout, Tampa would enhance their defensive pressure allowing more offensive opportunities. A 15-5 run would turn into a 22-5 run. From the 6:46 stretch mark, Florida Southern went on a six-minute scoring drought until, Arriyana Bracero scored with a few seconds left before the half.  Score: 40-25 (Tampa)

3rd QUARTER

The beginning of the second half started a little stagnant. Both teams got into early foul trouble and was not converting baskets to the same efficiency as the first half. It wasn't until, Sarah Jones hitting a three-pointer that ended the scoring drought. This basket alone set the tone for the rest of the quarter as Tampa kept the ball rolling maintaining their lead in the double-digits with a 19-15 run.  Score: 59-40 (Tampa)

4th QUARTER

With the contributions from Kin & Jones, the Spartans were able to get the lead up to 24 with 7:18 remaining in the game. Jones converted a jumpshot before head coach, Tom Jessee subbed her out of the game to end her night. After this, Florida Southern went on a 9-0 run which decreased the deficit to only 15 with only four minutes remaining. However, the Spartans regrouped and continued to pounce on their opponnents until the very end.  Final: 79-61 (Tampa)

 INSIDE THE STATS

• Kin: 30pts, 10rebs, 81% FG
• Jones: 19pts, 50% 3FG
• Shell: 17pts, 8rebs, 47% FG

BEYOND THE BOX

• Kin: fourth-consecutive double-double
• Spartans advance to their fourth consecutive SSC championship; seeking third-straight title
• Tampa have the No. 3 ranked offense & are No. 1 in defense in the Sunshine State Conference

NEXT UP: Tampa advances to the SSC Championship to compete against Lynn on Sunday, March 5th  at 1:00 p.m.