Spartans Win Season Opener in Canada

British Columbia, Canada – The University of Tampa's Women's Basketball team tipped off the 2024-25 season this afternoon against Seattle Pacific University from the great north. The Spartans first game at the CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic was packed full of action and ended in a 16 point win. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: Tampa 65, Seattle Pacific 49

Records: Tampa 1-0, Seattle Pacific 0-1

Location: Langley Events Centre | Langley, B.C, Canada

All-time series: Before today's meeting these programs had never competed against each other, Tampa now leads the all-time series 1-0 after today's win.

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

FIRST HALF: The first quarter started out fast with both teams opening up in aggressive full court pressure packages. Sariana Rodriguez sank the first basket of the year for the Spartans and the offense started rolling from there. Zoe Piller did not take long to announce her presence as in the first quarter alone she was able to get to the line twice, had a nice finish on a layup through contact, and held her matchup down low to zero points. This helped the Spartans build a 5 point lead going into the second quarter. The Spartans were able to keep the Falcons off the glass extremely well, limiting them to just two offensive rebounds through the first 15 minutes. Sariana Rodriguez continued to shoot the ball with high efficiency and along with Audrey Ramsey helped the Spartans grow the lead to double digits. The Spartans would close out the first half on a 14-4 run hitting four three's in just 5 shots to take a halftime lead of 34-23. 

Score: 34-23 Tampa

SECOND HALF: Coming out of the halftime break, both teams made impressive defensive adjustments. Both squads were held to a combined 8 points through the first 8 minutes of the third quarter. Sariana Rodriguez picked up a steal and Zoe Piller continued to dominate on the boards and had herself a double-double by the end of the third. Despite the offense slowing in the third, the Spartans were still able to keep a strong hold on their double digit lead going into the final ten minutes up 45-31. The fourth quarter would be the complete opposite of the third. The Spartans alone scored more points in the fourth quarter (20)  then both teams combined in the third (19). The fourth quarter also saw Audrey Ramsey continue to make plays on both ends of the floor and Giorgia Palmieri make her first collegiate bucket. The Spartans would close out their first game at the CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic with a win. 

Final: 65-49 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Audrey Ramsey named Player of the Game with 15 points, 6, assists, & 5 boards

• Zoe Piller records first Double-Double of the year with 12 points and 11 boards

• Olivia Davis was only player on floor to play all 40 minutes 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will remain in western Canada for two more games this weekend. Their next game will be Saturday, Nov 2nd at 6:00pm against St. Edward's.