TAMPA, Fla.  – The University of Tampa women’s basketball team battled back from a 13-point deficit to remain undefeated in conference play, and ultimately secured their 13th straight win. The Spartans are one win away from the school record.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: No. 23 Tampa 66, Eckerd 60
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (15-3, 12-0 SSC), Eckerd College Tritons (13-5, 9-3 SSC)
Location: Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.
All-time Series: The Spartans hold a commanding series lead 80-18. Tampa’s 41-8 at home against Eckerd and UT has won the last four contests. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

1st Quarter | The Tritons took an early 7-0 lead to begin the game. Eneritz Larranaga tallied the first four of seven points for Eckerd. Larranaga ended the quarter with seven points, draining a perfect 3-for-3 from the field with one long-range jumper. Eckerd went 10-for-16 from the field in the opening quarter, while UT shot 25% (4-of-16) in the first ten minutes. Against the norm, UT was dominated in the paint 12-2 in the opening frame. The Tritons were also led by Abby Whiteye, who chipped in seven points. LaShayla Wright-Ponder grabbed four rebounds and added two points. || EC 22, UT 9

2nd Quarter | The Spartans’ defense returned to form, allowing only nine points in the second quarter. Dori Nagy totaled six points in the quarter, converting 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Tampa went on a 7-0 run to cut the lead within ten points. Kris Nelson, the starting point guard for UT, secured four rebounds while Eckerd’s Whiteye led the half with seven boards in total. The Tritons locked down the paint, out-scoring Tampa 20-6 in the post. Aliyah Abney drained two three-pointers and totaled six points in the opening half. || EC 31, UT 25

3rd Quarter | Eckerd’s Zoe Richards reached the double-double mark at the end of the quarter, registering seven points and four rebounds in the third period. Melijah Sullivan worked her way to the charity stripe and cashed in four free-throws. Additionally, Sullivan added a basket to eclipse the double-digit mark. Despite shooting 25% from the field during the third quarter, Tampa kept the lead within reach. || EC 44, UT 36

4th Quarter | At the 5:13 mark, UT tied the game for the first time since the opening tip. With about four minutes remaining, Nagy fought her way to the free-throw line to give Tampa their first lead of the game at 53-51. The Spartans made nine free-throws in the fourth quarter, while Eckerd went 3-for-4 from the line. With a minute to go and trailing by one, Whiteye splashed a three-pointer to give EC a two-point lead. On the following possession, Nelson pushed the floor and used a hesitation move to create space for the game-tying finger roll. Tampa’s defense zeroed in and forced a stop on the final possession. || UT 56, EC 56

Overtime | Eckerd scored the opening four points, however, the Tritons did not register another point in overtime. Nagy rallied the Spartans with a personal 6-0 run to take the lead. Tampa worked their way to the free-throw line and went 6-for-8 in extra-time. || UT 66, EC 60

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Dori Nagy converted a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line, finishing the game with 18 points and nine rebounds.
• Four Spartans totaled double-digit scoring, as Kris Nelson was two points shy of her career-high with 16 in total.
• As a team, the Spartans went 23-for-27 (85.2%) at the charity stripe; their third highest output of the year. 
• Eckerd’s Zoe Richards registered a game-high 20 points in 42 minutes, shooting 9-of-15 from the field. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Nelson, a 5’4″ guard, logged her career-high with seven rebounds. Additionally, the senior tied her career-high with three steals.
• In two games this season, Tampa’s out-scored Eckerd 45-24 in the fourth quarter.
• Eckerd led 30-17 at the half in the first meeting of the year, before the Spartans defeated the Tritons 57-54 in St. Petersburg, Fla.
• The Spartans have won 13 straight games, one win shy of tying a school-record 14 consecutive victories. 

UP NEXT: Tampa will travel to Winter Park on Saturday as the Spartans face off against Rollins College at 2:00pm.

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