Piller goes for 21 as Tampa Improves to 11-2 in SSC Play

Boca Raton, Fla. – The University of Tampa Women's Basketball team traveled across the state this afternoon to take on the Lynn Fighting Knights. The Spartans were not just looking to complete the regular season sweep, but are only one game out of first place in the Sunshine State Conference. With only eight games left in conference play, every game matters. After a tough fight on Wednesday that ended with a Sariana Rodriguez game winner, Tampa had immense confidence in their ability to win on the road. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #23 Tampa 52, Lynn 47

Records: #23 Tampa 19-4 (11-2 SSC), Lynn 10-10 (4-9 SSC)

Location: de Hoernle Sports Center l Boca Raton, Fla. 

All-time series: This was the 63rd meeting all-time between these two programs, Tampa extends the series lead to 51-12.

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: To start this afternoons action, Lynn opened the game with a bucket and held the Spartans scoreless for their first few possessions. The Tampa defense held strong until Sariana Rodriguez ended the cold streak to tie the game at 2-2 with six to go in the first quarter. Zoe Piller gave the Spartans their first lead of the game with a free throw and defensively kept the Fighting Knights from getting anything in the paint. Tampa went on to hold Lynn scoreless for over four minutes by forcing multiple turnovers and bad shots. Lynn ended their drought by going on a small 6-1 run but Zoe Piller added more free throws and tough baskets in the paint to put Tampa back in the driver seat. By the two minute mark of the first quarter, the Spartans led 10-8 after yet another Piller finish at the rim. Zoe Piller took over the first quarter, being responsible for eight of Tampa's ten points. Tampa closed out the quarter with more strong defense and took that two point lead into the second quarter. Lynn started the final ten minutes of the first half by hitting a jumper to tie the game at 10-10 but it was all defense after that. Both teams were held scoreless for over two minutes until Giorgia Palmieri sank a runner to give the lead back to Tampa. Zoe Piller added a steal and another basket to her already stellar day, and the Spartans were up 14-10. Tampa continued to play elite defense, extending the Lynn scoring drought to over four minutes for the second time in the first half. Palmieri drilled the first three pointer of the game and the Spartans were up a touchdown by the five minute mark. Lynn was able to end their second big drought of the game but Palmieri made a nasty move on her defender and used her quickness to beat everyone for the easy basket. After some back in forth in the final minutes, Tampa led 23-16 going into the final minute of the first half. Sariana Rodriguez hit her third jumper of the game to extend the Tampa lead to nine at halftime. In the first half alone, the Spartans defense held Lynn scoreless for close to 14 total minutes en route to the lowest scoring opponent in a half this season. A key reason for this defensive masterclass was that Tampa forced more turnovers (8) than Lynn had made field goals (7). Offensively, Zoe Piller (10) and Giorgia Palmieri (9) combined for 19 of Tampa's 25 points with Sariana Rodriguez making up the difference with her six. 

Score: #23 Tampa 25, Lynn 16

SECOND HALF: Having already beaten Lynn earlier this season, Tampa knew the Fighting Knights were going to come out and compete hard to avoid the season sweep.To start the second half of play, Zoe Piller picked up right where she left off, hitting her first shot of the half by battling through contact for the finish. This basket gave Tampa their first double digit lead of the game at 27-16. The defense from the Spartans continued to dominate as they sent Lynn on another long scoring drought early in the third quarter. They forced more turnovers and even a shot clock violation.  Lynn did get on the scoreboard until 6:07 left in the quarter and their basket was answered with another Zoe Piller finish at the rim. After another defensive stop, Audrey Ramsey drilled a three to put Tampa up 32-18 with just over three minutes left in the third quarter. In the final minutes, Sariana Rodriguez hit another jumper, Palmieri finished a transition layup with a smooth move at the rim, and the Tampa defense continued to shine as they took a 37-24 into the final quarter. Lynn opened the fourth quarter with a made jumper and a transition layup to pull back within single digits of the Spartans. The full court defense of Lynn gave Tampa some trouble and a quick 7-0 run propelled the Fighting Nights back into this contest. Sariana Rodriguez ended the run with a pair of free throws to give her ten points for the game. With the scoreline 39-31, Lynn found their way to the charity stripe for four straight shots and a huge free throw for another 7-0 run. After Tampa was up 15, back to back Lynn runs had pulled the scoreline to just a one point game at 39-38 with under five minutes to go. Zoe Piller stepped up bigtime with a momentum swinging three point play to push the lead back to two possessions. Lynn answered with a three point play of their own and back and forth these teams went. After a Marrissa Mcdonald steal, Zoe Piller hit a smooth lefty hook to give Tampa a 44-41 lead with three minutes to go. Lynn responded with a jumper before Audrey Ramsey drilled a step back jumper of her own to put Tampa back up three points. After a Lynn free throw Audrey Ramsey - A Boca Raton Native - hit a three and the biggest shot of the game to give the Spartans a 49-44 lead with just 37 seconds remaining. The Spartan defense forced their 16th turnover of the game and closed out a gritty win on the road with free throws from Zoe Piller and Olivia Davis. 

Final: #23 Tampa 52, Lynn 47

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Zoe Piller finishes with 21 total points 

• Spartans hold their 6th opponent this season to under 50 points

• Tampa defense ties season high by forcing 16 Lynn turnovers

UP NEXT: The Spartans will return home for a top 25 matchup with nationally ranked Nova Southeastern. This contest will take place on Wednesday, February 5th at 5:30pm. Tampa Women's Basketball has chosen this game to be their #StandAsOne game so expect a packed Bob Martinez center for this electric SSC Matchup. 

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