Spartans Defeat Walsh Behind Giusto and Piller

TAMPA, Fla. – The No. 8 Tampa Spartans beat Walsh University behind two Spartans with 20-point games. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final Score:  No. 8 Tampa Spartans 65, Walsh Cavaliers 49

Records: Tampa (11-2, 3-0 SSC), Walsh (3-6, 1-3 G-MAC) 

Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center | Tampa, Fla.

All-Time Series:  Spartans tie the series up at one game apiece. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

1st QUARTER

Kath Van Bennekom opened up the scoring for the Spartans with the game's first four points. After a Cavaliers layup, Van Bennekom would knock down a three to open the Spartans lead to seven. Zoe Piller then wanted to participate in the scoring with back-to-back layups to extend the Tampa lead to nine. After the Cavaliers cut their deficit to five,  a Van Bennekom three-pointer and Mya Giusto layup would increase Tampa's lead to 10. | Score: 25-13 Tampa

2nd QUARTER

After an opening basket from the Cavaliers, Giusto and Piller would extend the Spartans lead to 13. The score would stay at that for the next 4 minutes until Tampa brought out the shooting clinic. Giusto would make a pair of free throws, Piller made a layup, and Sarah Jones would extend the Spartans lead to 19 before heading into the half. | Score: 36-17 Tampa

3rd QUARTER

The first four minutes out of half would be played evenly, with the Tampa lead staying at 19; however, after a Giusto layup and made free throws from Audra Leipold, the lead would expand to 23. Walsh would make their deficit to 22 before the quarter ended. | Score: 54-32 Tampa

4th QUARTER

The fourth quarter was the most competitive despite the big lead the Spartans had. The Cavaliers would cut the lead to fifteen with a minute left in the game; however, it was not enough time for a comeback. | Score: 65-49 Tampa

INSIDE THE STATS

• Piller recorded her fifth double-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and an assist.
• Giusto also ended with her fourth 20-point performance of the season, along with 6 assists and 6 rebounds.
• Van Bennekon scored 10 points in just 17 minutes of action.

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa Spartans will wrap up the Tampa Classic tomorrow, Dec. 19, against Saint Anselm at 12:00 P.M.