Zoe Piller's 28 Points Helps Tampa Beat PBA In OT

West Palm Beach, Fla. – The University of Tampa Women's Basketball team was back on the road this afternoon for their last road game of the regular season. The Spartans took the court to battle Palm Beach Atlantic, with an opportunity to complete the season sweep. While the Sailfish posed a threat, the Spartans were able to dig in a grind out a victory. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score OT: #23 Tampa 79, Palm Beach Atlantic 72

Records: #23 Tampa 24-5 (15-3 SSC), Palm Beach Atlantic 13-13 (7-8 SSC)

Location: Rubin Arena l West Palm Beach, Fla.

All-time series: This was the 40th meeting between these two programs. With the win, Tampa leads the all-time series 36-4. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF:  After both teams earned a defensive stop to open the game, PBA got on the board first. Olivia Davis answered for the Spartans with a corner three and a 3-2 lead.  Unfortunately for Tampa, this three was the only made basket through the first five minutes. The Sailfish used a 6-0 run to take a 8-3 lead halfway through the first. Olivia Davis again stepped up for the Spartans, knocking down her second three of the quarter to pull within two of PBA. As the first quarter crossed into the final three minutes, PBA used a three to extend the lead out to 11-6 but Zoe Piller used her strength and feel to finish a three point play. She followed that up with an easy lay after Sariana Rodriguez picked off a PBA pass and the game was tied at 11. Both teams traded a basket and defensive stops until the end of the first quarter with the scoreline 14-14. To open the final ten minutes of the first half, the Spartans forced a stop and were rewarded with a Zoe Piller 12 ft jumper. PBA got the line and converted two free throws and the game was tied once again. With a little under seven minutes to go, PBA got a runner to fall to take the lead but again, Zoe Piller came right back with a layup through contact. Sariana Rodriguez picked off another Sailfish pass and took it coast to coast for an easy basket and the Spartans were back up 20-18. With under five minutes to play both teams went cold until PBA tied the game with 2:41 left in the half. The Spartan answer this time came from Vivianne Jende, who was able to kiss her layup off the glass and in for the lead. Tampa finally earned some separation when Sariana Rodriguez followed Jende's layup with her own. However, PBA used the last shot of the first half to hit a three to pull within one.

Score: #23 Tampa 24, Palm Beach Atlantic 23

SECOND HALF: To open the second half, Audrey Ramsey drilled a three from the corner to re-give Tampa a four point lead. PBA did respond with a jumper but Tampa was able to go to work with a two point lead. Sariana Rodriguez knocked down a three (also from the corner) and quickly had a 30-25 lead after the first two minutes. Zoe Piller added to Tampa's early offense with a tough layup through contact. With a seven point lead, Tampa looked to take full control of this game until PBA woke up. In a span of under two minutes, PBA went on a 7-0 run to tie the game at 32 with under six minutes to go in the third quarter. Tampa finally forced a stop and used a pair of free throws from Zoe Piller to retake the lead at 34-32. After another PBA turnover, Zoe Piller finished another tough take at the rim before forcing another miss shot in the defensive paint. Giorgia Palmieri took the momentum Zoe Piller was trying to create and ran with it, forcing a turnover and drilling a three of her own. With under four minutes to go, Tampa led 40-35 but was still looking to start pulling away from the Sailfish. Zoe Piller and Audrey Ramsey continued to make shots around the rim but PBA was not going to give in, staying with Tampa for the rest of the quarter. Zoe Piller crossed the 20 point threshold towards the end of the quarter, reinforcing her mark as the best center in the SSC. The trading of baskets lasted almost the entire third quarter but the Spartans were able to take a 48-44 lead into the fourth. Kath Van Bennekom got the scoring going for the final ten minutes with a quick drive and easy lay. Zoe Piller added her to her outstanding day but finishing a turnaround fader at the rim and the Spartans were up six. This lead got cut in half by PBA after they hit a big three but Kath Van Bennekom went back to work and got a baseline reverse lay to fall to re-establish a multi possession lead. Once again, PBA came right back with a three ball to make the scoreline 55-52 Tampa, with under five minutes to play. PBA stayed hot, hitting back to back deep jumpers to take back the lead. The Sailfish continued their run, scoring seven unanswered to lead 59-55. Zoe Piller put a stop to the PBA run with under two minutes to go, knocking down free throws to pull within two. Sariana Rodriguez followed her teammate to the line on the next possession but was only to get one to fall. On the second free throw, Kath Van Bennekom came up with the biggest rebound in the game, giving the ball back to Tampa. Audrey Ramsey took this momentum and made a huge three to give Tampa a 61-59 lead with 1:06 to play. PBA would once again answer this shot with a three of their own to take a 62-61 lead into the final minute of play. For the third time this season, Sariana Rodriguez with the ball in her hands drained a runner with under 30 seconds to give the Spartans a one point lead. With the score 63-62, PBA was able to find a bucket and a foul and take a two point Sailfish lead with 25.5 on the clock. Zoe Piller continued to shine as she immediately called for the ball and calmly finished a layup for a 65-65 tie game. With 10.5 seconds left, PBA held for the last shot of regulation but the Tampa defense forced a miss shot to put them in their second straight overtime period. 

END OF REGULATION: #23 Tampa 65, Palm Beach Atlantic 65

OVERTIME: To open the overtime period, Tampa defense forced PBA deep into the shot clock leading to an ugly shot. They took this stop and converted it into Zoe Piller points and a 67-65 lead. PBA tied the game up at the three minute mark but Olivia Davis and Audrey Ramsey sank free throws to give Tampa a 70-67 lead. The Spartans forced a turnover with two minutes to go and Marissa McDonald added to the free throw parade to put the Spartans up by five. Audrey Ramsey drew a huge charge on the ensuing PBA possession and 20 seconds later was put back on the line for more free throws. With 1:22 left to play, Giorgia Palmieri ran the shot clock down and hit a floater to put the game officially out of reach. PBA did everything they could to spark a late comeback but the Spartans continued to knock down their free throws and not give up anything easy.

FINAL: #23 Tampa 79, Palm Beach Atlantic 72

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Zoe Piller goes for 28 points and 8 rebounds in monster game 

• Three Spartans recorded 2+ steals (Davis, Rodriguez, Palmieri)

• All eight Spartans who played tonight recorded at least 2 points 

UP NEXT: The Spartans will come back to the Bob Martinez Center for the final game of the regular season. Tampa will host Barry University on Wednesday, February 26th with tip-off scheduled for 5:30pm. This will not be the last game of the season as the Spartans locked up a spot in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament and will host the first round on March 4th. 

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