Women's Basketball Season Cut Short After First Round Loss

Jackson, Tenn. – The University of Tampa Women's Basketball team tipped-off the NCAA Tournament tonight, hosted at Union University in Tennessee. The Spartans came into this year's NCAA South Regional as the No. 4 seed, giving them a matchup with the No. 5 seeded Lee University Flames. The Flames finished fourth in the Gulf South Conference and like the Spartans, have made the big dance for six straight years. In a game where both teams know how to win, neither side was going to give in early. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final Score: #4 Tampa 63, #5 Lee 66

Regular Season Records: Tampa 25-5 (17-3 SSC), Lee 23-5 (17-5 GSC)

Location: Fred Delay Gym l Jackson, Tennessee 

All-time series: This was the 11th meeting between these two programs. Even with the loss, Tampa leads the all-time series 8-3. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

FIRST HALF: In a contest that started fast and never slowed down, Lee was able to convert free throws on their first possession. The Spartans answered with a Zoe Piller layup followed by a Giorgia Palmieri runner to take their first lead of the game. After an Audrey Ramsey steal, Tampa scored again with Piller sinking a baseline jumper and the lead was 6-2. Tampa was not done yet as after another steal Palmieri drilled a wide open three on the wing to push the lead to 7. Before three minutes had passed in this game the Spartans were 4/5 from the field, forced three Lee turnovers and went on a 9-0 run. As the game crossed the five minute mark, Lee put an end to the Tampa run with a 9-2 run of their own to tie the game up at 11. After Tampa forced back to back empty Lee possessions, Giorgia Palmieri banked in a huge three to put the Spartans up 14-13. Both teams traded baskets in the final minutes until Lee was able to break the tie with free throws as the first quarter came to a close. The Flames stayed hot as they started the second quarter with a corner three to take a 23-18 lead. They followed that up by hitting back to back corner three's and a two point lead quickly grew to 11. Audrey Ramsey, Zoe Piller, and Kath Van Bennekom added baskets but Lee had taken control of this game. They hit six three's in the first half, with four coming in the second quarter to help them take a huge lead. Tampa would find themselves down 12 after the first half of action but knew if they could contain the Flame shooters this was still anyone's game. 

Score: Tampa 28, Lee 40

SECOND HALF: To begin the final twenty minutes, Lee picked up right where they left off and scored on their opening possession. It took a few possessions but the Spartans answered with Zoe Piller turnaround finish but Lee could not miss. Everytime the Spartans found solid offense, the Flames were able to come right back with a bucket to keep the momentum on their side. However, after a stop the Spartans hit back to back shots from Audrey Ramsey and Giorgia Palmieri to cut the lead to ten. Just when Tampa had some momentum building, Lee drilled another three to keep up the pressure. The lead stayed in the double digit range as the contest entered the final five minutes of the third quarter but the shots were starting to fall for Tampa. Zoe Piller was able to go to work in the paint for a tough lay and the lead was cut to nine but Lee came right back with a three ball. Trailing 54-42, Tampa was able to cut the lead ten but for the fourth time this quarter, Lee drilled a three to stop any idea of Tampa running. Lee went into the fourth quarter up 59-46 but Tampa was not going to give up easily. They opened the quarter with a quick score and a stop before Marissa McDonald was able to cut the lead back down to ten. The Spartans defense was able to force another stop, Giorgia Palmieri was able to get an elbow jumper to fall and the lead was cut to eight with under six minutes to go. Tampa forced back to back lee turnover but were unable to convert them into points as the game transitioned into the final five minutes. Tampa was able to keep the Flames scoreless for the first seven minutes of the fourth quarter but were only able to cut the lead to five. With the score 59-54, Lee broke their drought with a three from the wing and the lead was back to eight with under three minutes to go. Not willing to give up yet, Zoe Piller converted a strong three point play, finishing her layup through contact for a five point deficit. Lee answered with a layup but Piller again was able to get to the line and convert a hard earned three point play. Piller's six straight points for the Spartans cut the lead to four with just over a minute to play. After both teams failed to score and the score 64-60 Lee, Audrey Ramsey was able to draw a charge with 24.3 seconds left and hit a huge three with 13.1 seconds left in this game. Tampa had clawed all the way back and after fouling to stop the clock, had the ball down three with a chance to tie the game. Tampa was able to get a shot off at the buzzer but it clanked off the rim, leavig Lee to escape with a close victory. 

FINAL: Tampa 63, Lee 66

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Zoe Piller drops 20 points and finishes one rebound shy 10 for a double-double 

• Giorgia Palmieri and Audrey Ramsey both finished with 16 points and a steal

• As a team, the Spartans shot 51.1% from the field 

UP NEXT: This concludes the Spartans season and their run in the NCAA Tournament. This Tampa squad will be saying goodbye to seven seniors who have done nothing but represent what it truly means to be a Spartan. Audrey Ramsey, Zoe Piller, Bella Steidle, Marissa McDonald, Kath Van Bennekom, Vivviane Jende, and Sariana Rodriguez have all left a lasting impression on the University of Tampa and they will always be Spartans. It was another outstanding year for the Tampa Women's Basketball program under the leadership of Tom Jessee but came up just short in thier final effort. Coach Jesse and his amazing staff know what it takes to win and will reload with the goal to be right back in the NCAA South Regional next year. 

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