#4 Spartans Improve to 2-0 on the Season in Game #2 in Canada

British Columbia, Canada – The University of Tampa's Women's Basketball team took the floor tonight for their second straight game in the CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic. For game two of the Canadian Classic the Spartans took on the St. Edward's University Hilltoppers. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #4 Tampa 70, St. Edwards 57

Records: #4 Tampa 2-0, St. Edwards 0-2

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

All-time series: After today's win the Spartans are now 2-0 all-time against the Hilltoppers.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: From the opening tip of this contest, both teams had multiple players with hot hands. In just the first few minutes of play both sides had drained shots from behind the arc as well as multiple clean jumpers. For the Spartans, Olivia Davis and Sariana Rodriguez both hit three's and every starter contributed a bucket in the first quarter. St. Edwards was able to make shots as well and the Spartans would take a 15-13 lead into the second quarter. The second quarter is where the offense really started to take off for both sides. Tampa continued to drain shots from the elbow to the three point line and put up 22 total points in the final ten minutes of the first half. Rodriguez would hit two more three point jumpers and Audrey Ramsey finished the first half with 8 points, 6 boards, and 5 dimes. Despite the offensive showcase from the Spartans, the Hilltoppers continued to make plays and hold the Tampa lead to single digits.

Score:  37-32 #4 Tampa

SECOND HALF: Coming out the break the Spartans knew they either needed to keep making more shots or make defensive adjustments in order to build upon their halftime lead. They chose both. Olivia Davis, Marissa McDonald and Sariana Rodriguez cashed three point jumpers to open the second half and defensively the Spartans held the Hilltoppers to a game low 13 points in the third quarter. Going into the fourth quarter down nine, St. Edwards was not going to roll over. They opened the final quarter of play with 5 straight points to close the Spartan lead to 4 points at 54-50 with nine minutes to play. Both teams would trade baskets for the next few possessions before Zoe Piller took over the game at the six minute mark. The experienced center would out muscle multiple Hilltopper defenders for three offensive rebounds which all led to points for the Spartans. Piller's gritty play on the boards helped extend the lead back to nine with four minutes remaining and after an Audrey Ramsey dagger the Spartasn would close out game #2 of the CCA Canadian Tip-Off Classic with a 70-57 win.

Final: 70-57 #4 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Marissa McDonald finished with 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists 

• Audrey Ramsey finished with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists

• Sariana Rodriguez and Olivia Davis each hit 4 three point shots

• Four Spartan players logged 40 minutes of game time  

UP NEXT: The #4 Spartans will conclude their opening weekend when they face the hosts of the Canadian Classic Simon Fraser University. That contest will take Sunday, Nov 3nd at 8:15pm ET. 

Follow Us: @TampaSpartans on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube