MIAMI SHORES, Fla. – The University of Tampa women’s basketball team secured a win against Barry University on Saturday afternoon, as Staja Tyghter dropped 20 points and 12 rebounds.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: Tampa 64, Barry 62
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (14-5, 8-3 SSC), Barry University Buccaneers (7-11, 5-6 SSC)
Location: Miami Shores, Fla. || Health & Sports Center
All-Time Series: The Spartans lead 46-25; Tampa longest win streak was 10 games that ended with a loss at home on December 09, 2017.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | The first basket of the game did not come until late within the seventh minute, which was from senior Staja Tyghter. For the Barry Buccaneers, Nichel Tampa scored their first two buckets. Tampa is averaging 15.1 points for the Buccaneers this season. Freshman, Melijah Sullivan came off the bench and scored her first basket to give the Spartans a seven-point lead, which contributed to their 11-0 run. Barry’s Juhnae Richardson ended that run which a three-pointer to come within eight. At the end of the quarter, UT had a 10-point lead (17-7), with the leading scoring being Tyghter with 10 points.

2nd Quarter | Dori Nagy scored her first basket to start the Spartans off in the second quarter. Keeping Barry alive was Richardson with eight points halfway through the quarter. With five minutes remaining, the Buccaneers were shooting 8-33 from the field (24.2%). Five of Tampa’s last scores had been three-pointers, two coming from Emily Eshoo who had a total of 11 points at the end of the half. Staying hot for Barry is Richardson, who was scoring in back to back possession to keep the Buccaneers within single digits. She ended the half with 14 points. Filling the stat sheet so far for the Spartans was Kris Nelson with five points, three rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal. Right behind Nelson was Tyghter with 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. As a team, Tampa shot 50% from the field, the three-point line, and the free-throw line.

3rd Quarter | To keep it rolling, Tyghter started it off for that Spartans again. Nagy dropped in a layup in the paint their next possession to up its lead to 13. Through the quarter, there was good back and forth scoring going on to keep the game interesting, then Barry went on a 14-0 run to come within one point. This resulted from Barry going into a full-court press which caused three quick turnovers from the Spartans. Nelson ended the scoring drought for Tampa draining a three-pointer, increasing its lead back to four. At the end of the quarter, Barry outrebounded Tampa 11-3, but it was not enough to give the Buccaneers their first lead of the game.

4th Quarter | Tampa knocked down two three-pointers to start the final 10 minutes of the game. The first one was by Eshoo which gave her 14 points and the second was by Julia Ingram which jumped the Spartans lead back up to 10. Coming off of a few Buccaneer’s misses, Tyghter grabbed three rebounds to secure another double-double. Barry went on a run and cut the lead to two but Eshoo knocked down another three-pointer which totaled to five for her. Barry’s guard, Tampa forced a turnover and converted it into a three-point play off an “and-one”. With 30 seconds on the clock and a Tampa two point lead, Tyghter scored her 20th point to increase the lead to four. Barry’s Tampa came back down the court and converted on another “and-one” play that made it an one possession game. Tampa was able to hold onto the led as they won 64-62.

INSIDE THE STATS:

• Tyghter has registered double-digit scoring in 18 straight games. 
• Tyghter has logged seven double-doubles on the season.
• Three Spartans scored in double-figures, combining for 49 points.
• The Spartans drained a total of 10 three-pointers, half of them coming from Eshoo.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• Tyghter recorded her seaon-high dropping a total of 20 points.
• Eshoo recored her seaon-high dropping a total of 19 points and a career-high of five three-pointers made.
• Tampa is on a four game winning streak. 

UP NEXT: The University of Tampa will face Florida Southern on Wednesday at the Martinez Athletics Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. At halftime of the men’s basketball game, the athletic department will honor the women’s volleyball team on their third national championship.

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