Tampa Drops Top 25 Matchup In South Florida

Davie, Fla. – The University of Tampa Women's Basketball team began the new year by traveling to #22 Nova Southeastern for a Top 25 matchup in Sunshine State Conference play. The Spartans came into the new year riding a five game win streak and looking to stay undefeated in the SSC. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #12 Tampa 53, #22 Nova Southeastern 63

Records: #12 Tampa 11-3 (3-1 SSC), #22 Nova Southeastern 10-2 (3-1 SSC)

Location: Rick Case Arena l Davie, Fla.

All-time series: This was the 54th matchup between these two programs. Despite the loss, Tampa still leads the all-time series 35-19. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: The Spartans started off the new year in the best way possible. After winning the opening tip, Vivianne Jende used some elite footwork to hit the first shot of the 2025 for the Spartans. On the next possession, Jende again found herself on the block and hit her second layup in a row to open the game. The Sharks would hit shots to open the game as well and by the halfway point of the first quarter led 7-6. Both teams would continue to trade baskets for the next few minutes but after a few empty offensive trips, Nova stretched the lead out to multiple possessions. Going into the second quarter down nine, Tampa knew they needed to start chipping away. They started the quarter on a 6-0 run thanks to Sariana Rodriguez hitting some big shots. Tampa had closed the gap and were only down 23-20 until Nova answered by drilling more shots from beyond the arc. WIth the scoreline 29-20, both teams hit a scoring wall in the final minutes. This drought for both teams would be ended by Giorgia Palmieri finishing two tough shots around the rim to close the half. The Spartans were able to recover but still found themselves down 5 going into the break. 

Score: #12 Tampa 24, #22 Nova Southeastern 29

SECOND HALF: Coming out of the break, the Spartans knew they needed to get stops in bunches in order to complete the comeback. Both teams opened up the final 20 minutes by getting a stop on the defensive side. Rodriguez would hit another fade-away floater and after an Audrey Ramsey steal, Jende would cut the lead to 4. However the Sharks would not stay quiet for long as they would hit two more big three's and easy layups in transition. By the midway point of the third quarter, Nova had extended the lead back out to double digits. Both teams started to pick up the pace of play in the final minutes of the third quarter but the Spartans were unable to get stops in bunches. They had cut back into the Nova lead but still found themselves down 46-38. Vivianne Jende continued her dominant day in the paint by hitting another layup through contact to open the fourth quarter. She would end the day with 19 points and 7 rebounds in her first start of the year. The Spartans would hold Nova scoreless in the first few minutes and were able to cut the deficit back to just four. However, in under 90 seconds, the Sharks forced two turnovers and went on a 8-0 run to re-extend the lead back to double digits. Both teams would close out the final quarter play with made baskets but the Spartans were unable to complete the comeback. 

Final: #12 Tampa 53,  #22 Nova Southeastern 63

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Vivianne Jende sets career high with 19 point performance 

• Giorgia Palmieri drops 12 points off the bench 

UP NEXT: The #12 ranked Spartans will come back home to face SSC foe Rollins College this Saturday, Jan 4th. Tip for the Spartans first home game of 2025 is scheduled for 2:00pm. 

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