LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of Tampa women’s basketball team faced off against the University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles on the first day of the Bellarmine Thanksgiving Classic. The Screaming Eagles used a strong fourth quarter to claim the 56-46 victory over the Spartans.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 

Final Score: Southern Indiana 56, Tampa 46
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (2-2) University of Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles (3-1)
Location: Knights Hall || Louisville, Ky.
All-Time Series: This is the second time the two teams have squared off against one another. USI now leads 2-0 all-time against UT.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | The screaming Eagles would be the first to score in the game as they held an early 10-0 lead through the first six minutes of the half. The Spartans were able to get on the board as Dori Nagy would sink a three-pointer with 3:55 remaining in the quarter. UT would be able to pull within seven points to end the opening frame.  || Southern Indiana 14, Tampa 7

2nd Quarter | Tampa would be the first to score in the second quarter as LaShayla Wright-Ponder would make a layup on the opening possession. The Spartans would earn their first lead of the game at 18-16, as Julia Ingram would make a three-pointer with 5:30 remaining in the quarter. The two teams would go back-and-forth the remaining of the quarter as the Screaming Eagles went into the half with the lead. At the half, Nagy led the way with eight points, while Wright-Ponder led the way with six rebounds. As a team, UT would shoot 60% from the field in the quarter. || Southern Indiana 25, Tampa 23

3rd Quarter |   UT would be the first on the board in the second half as a Nagy layup tied the game at 25. UT would regain the lead at 28-26 following a three-pointer from Nagy. USI was able to regain the lead as they were up 36-33 with 1:34 remaining in the quarter. In the final moments of the quarter, Nagy would earn trips to the line in back to back possessions. She would knock down all four free-throws, giving the Spartans the lead heading into the final quarter. Nagy would score 11 of the 14 Spartans points in the quarter. || Tampa 37, Southern Indiana 36

4th Quarter | USI was able to jump out early in the final frame as they were up 47-41 at the media timeout. Tampa was able to get within three points of Southern Indiana but were unable to close the gap as the Screaming Eagles would earn the victory || Southern Indiana 56 Tampa 46

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dori Nagy would lead the way offensively as she recorded a game-high 22 points. She also recorded a double-double as she finished the game with 10 rebounds.
• LaShayla Wright-Ponder  would also finish the game with a double-double as she had a game-high 13 rebounds and 13 points.
• Mya Giusto led the way with five assists for UT.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• This was Wright-Ponder’s second double-double of the season. She has also scored in double figures in every game this year.
• It is also Nagy’s second double-double of the season, and she has also scored double-digit points in every game this year.
• Giusto’s five assists are a career-high for the freshman point guard.

UP NEXT: Tampa will wrap up the Bellarmine Classic as they will face the host, Bellarmine University at 3:00 p.m. It will be the third time these teams will play each other in program history. The two teams have split the previous meeting, with the last matchup being in 1999.

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