Kin's 22 Help No.7 Spartans Escape NSU Sharks

TAMPA, FL– The No.7 University of Tampa women's basketball team competed against Nova Southeastern Wednesday evening in an epic SSC matchup.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score: No.7 University of Tampa Spartans 78 , Nova Southeastern Sharks 77

Records: Tampa (15-1, 7-1 SSC) , Nova Southeastern (14-2, 6-2 SSC)

Location: Rick Case Arena | Tampa, FL

All-Time Series: The Spartans are 17-0 in head-to-head matchups against Nova Southeastern.

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

Tampa set the tone in the first few minutes with some offensive tenacity from shooting guard, Sydney Kin. Kin was aggressive to target the paint and scored three cosecutive layups to put the Spartans up four. Continuing to attack the basket, point guard Mya Giusto laid the ball in to furthern the lead to eight (3:20). Nova Southeastern would make a run and cut the defecit to one with a three-pointer by Maddie Frederick. Frederick would score the next two possessions for the Sharks to end the quarter. | Score: 20-19 (Tampa)

2nd QUARTER

Nova Southeastern got on the scorebaord before the Spartans did by taking an early four point lead; the most either team would led in the second quarter. With 5:33 remaining, Audrey Ramsey converted a three-pointer to give the Spartans their first lead of the quarter. After this awakening, Kin scored the Spartan's next three possesions. However, Nova did not go away trading baskets with the Sharks from coast to coast down to the last minute of play of the quarter. Nova's Frederick put the Sharks up one, but the Spartans quickly responded with two consecutive baskets by Ramsey to put the Spartans up one. | Score: 39-36 (Tampa)

3rd QUARTER

A close game with the momentum constantly changing. Nova scored two baskets back-to-back. Then, Spartan's Melijah Sullivan would hit a two-pointer and a layup to quickly tie the game. However, Nova's Mackenzie Steele's three-point shot brought the Shark's lead to four. Sarah Jones would  then hit a jumper to cut the defecit to two. However, Frederick hit a three-pointer to put the Sharks back up five with 3:54 remaining. Sullivan got a couple of chances at the free-throw line, which she would convert all three to shorten Nova's lead to one (54-53). The Sharks quickly responded, however, Alani Gallagher scored a basket and then in the closing seconds, Ramsey again, scored the last basket and regained the lead. | Score: 57-56 (Tampa)

4th QUARTER

The Spartans carried that same momentum they had in the third quarter and brought  it to the fourth by getting on the scoreboard first. With 7:15 remaining, Giusto got fouled on a three-point attempt. Giusto would convert all three free throws to put the Spartans up five 65-60. Giusto remained aggressive the next few possessions, scoring a layup, and converting yet another free-throw attempt (68-61). During this time, the Spartans wen on a 13-7 run, increasing the lead to nine (72-63). With five minutes remaining, Sharks slowly began to comeback. The Spartans got into some foul trouble and gave up multiple three-pointers especially the one by Skyla Osceola with 35 secodns remaining (78-76). With one second remaining in the game, Sullivan fouled Frederick and would go to the line. The first free-throw went in to bring the Sharks within one. The next free-throw bounced off the rim and was rebounded by Sullivan as the buzzer went off. | Final: 78-77 (Tampa)

 INSIDE THE STATS

• Kin: 22pts, 10rebs, 59% FG
• Frederick: 25pts, 4rebs, 40% 3FG
• Sullivan: 18pts, 7rebs, 67% FG

BEYOND THE BOX 

• Spartans fourth consecutive win 
• Tampa advance to No.2 ranking in SSC over NSU
• Kin's ninth double-double on the season

NEXT UP: The Spartans will face No. 8 Eckerd College away Sunday, Jan. 14th @2p.m.