UT Takes 20th Straight Over St. Leo

ST. LEO, Fla. - The No. 20 University of Tampa Spartans dominate the St. Leo and take the 20^th straight game over the Lions.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: No. 20 Tampa Spartans 71, St. Leo Lions 56

Records: Tampa (19-4, 10-2 SSC), St. Leo (9-11, 3-9 SSC)

Location: Marion Bowman Activities Center | St. Leo, Fla.

All-Time: Spartans dominate the Lions with an overall record of 93-16 against St. Leo and have now beaten them in 20 straight games.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

Despite the early missed shots from both teams, the Spartans started to find the bottom of the basket and went on an 11-2 scoring run in the first eight minutes of the game. The Spartans would keep their multiple-possession lead heading into the 2^nd quarter. Zoe Piller led the way with 6 points, including four other Spartans in the scoring column. | Score: 15-8 Tampa

2nd QUARTER

St. Leo would cut their deficit to four. The Spartans would respond with a 12-0 scoring run with five baskets from five different Spartans. The Spartans would lead 34-18 before St. Leo made a jumper. However, it would be followed by a Sarah Jones free throw before heading into the locker rooms. | Score: 35-20 Tampa

3rd QUARTER

The Spartans would extend their lead to 19 after a made jumper and free throw from Kath Van Bennekom. The Spartans would keep their lead in double figures throughout the rest of the quarter. | Score: 56-44 Tampa

4th QUARTER

Piller would open the fourth with four straight points to extend the Spartans lead to 60-44. St. Leo would make a response, cutting their fourteen-point deficit to eight. With five minutes to go in the game, the Spartans looked for an answer to close out the game. Van Bennekom would knock down a 3-pointer followed by two made free throws by Audrey Ramsey to put the Spartans back up thirteen. With four minutes left, the Spartans had enough room to close the game and beat the Lions. | Score: 63-46 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS

• Piller led the Spartans with 19 points and 12 rebounds.
• Van Bennekom and Jones both have 16 points.
• Ramsey recorded a double-double with 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists.

BEYOND THE BOX

• Tampa shot 44.6% from the floor, 33.3% from behind the arch, and 71.4% from the line.
• Tampa had 18 fast break points.
• Tampa led for 37 of the 40 minutes.

UP NEXT: The No. 20 University of Tampa Spartans will return to the Bob as they host rival Florida Southern on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 2:00 P.M.