Ramsey Scores 1,000 Career Point, Leads Spartans Past Mocs

Tampa, Fla – The University of Tampa Women's basketball team opened up SSC conference play tonight against Florida Southern. The Spartans have claimed 4 of the last 5 SSC crowns and are looking to reclaim the throne after falling just short last year. The No. 17 team in the country came into this game wanting to control the pace and send the Mocs back to Lakeland without them taking a bite. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #17 Tampa 84,  Florida Southern 78

Records: #17 Tampa 7-2 (1-0 SSC),  Florida Southern 4-4 (1-2 SSC)

Location: Bob Martinez Center I Tampa, Fla

All-time series: This was the 111th all-time meeting between these two programs, with the win Tampa improves to 47-65 against Florida Southern. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: Tonight's contest did not start out in the Spartans favor. Before the fans in the Bob Martinez Center could get comfortable the Mocs jumped out a 8-2. Tampa stopped the run with an Olivia Davis three but by the halfway point of the first quarter, Florida Southern held a 14-5 lead. After some Audrey Ramsey free throws, Giorgia Palmieri entered the game and provided the spark the Spartans needed. The freshman from Italy hit a three on her touch and helped Tampa claw back into the game. After back to back to back to back three's from Davis (3 total) and Sariana Rodriguez, the Spartans were only trailing by 1 point with one minute left in the first quarter. Both teams would trade three's again and Florida Southern would take a 23-22 into the second quarter. The Spartans would take their first lead of the game (24-22) with a Kath Van Bennekom three point play after she finished a tough lay through contact. Both teams traded baskets but the Spartans were able to maintain their lead until the Mocs tied it at 30-30 with a big three of their own. Zoe Piller would do what she does and get to the line to retake the Spartan lead at the five minute mark. The final five minutes of the second quarter would be a continuation of the entire half. Both teams traded buckets but after two big three's from the Mocs, Florida Southern took a seven point lead into the half. 

Score: #17 Tampa 38, Florida Southern 40

SECOND HALF:  Coming out of the break the Spartans knew they needed to make some adjustments as Florida Southern went 9-16 (56%) from beyond the arc. Tampa became hyper aggressive on the wings with their closeouts and would hold the Mocs to a mere 3-12 in the second half. However, this led to Florida Southern going to the paint to get their baskets and despite Tampa hitting some shots, they grew the lead to double digits by the five minute mark. This is when tonight officially became Audrey Ramsey's game, she hit key shots, set her teammates up with easy finishes, and kept the Mocs at bay forcing bad shots combined with a steal. Tampa would go from down 12 to leading 52-51 with three minutes to go in the third quarter. Not only was Audrey Ramsey taking over this game but she would score her 1000 career points with Tampa. Building off this momentum the Spartans would take a 61-55 lead into the fourth quarter. To start the final quarter of play both teams would trade baskets but the Mocs were not going down without a fight. After they got a few stops, FSC had pulled the scoreline to 67-64. Giorgia Palmieri put any hope of a quick comeback away by ending the FSC run with a huge three to put the Spartans back up 6. Both teams would battle it out to the end but the Spartans were able to outshoot the Mocs in the final minutes to win 84-78. 

Final: #17 Tampa 84,  Florida Southern 78

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tampa made 16 3PT shots as a team (Rodriguez and Davis both with 5)

• Davis (3) Palmieri (1) and Rodriguez (1) combined for five strait 3PT makes in the 1st Quarter (Ties Program Record)

• Kath Van Bennekom dropped 18 points off the bench 

UP NEXT: The #17 ranked Spartans will hit the road for their first SSC road conference game of the year on Saturday, December 7th. Tampa won't have to travel far as they face Saint Leo University at 2:00pm. 

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