Spartans Respond to Huge Halftime Deficit

MIAMI SHORES, Fla. - A 20-point halftime deficit failed to keep The University of Tampa women's basketball team down as the Spartans battled to a thrilling 82-77 double overtime victory over Barry University. With the win, UT is now 18-5 on the year and 10-3 in the Sunshine State Conference while BU falls to 16-8 and 7-6 in the SSC.

Barry dominated the first half, taking a 33-13 lead to halftime as it held the Spartans to just two points in the final 7:12 of the half.

The Spartans began the second half with an energetic showing as it outscored the Buccaneers 15-2 over the first seven minutes of the half. With 21 seconds remaining in the game and Barry leading 57-53, UT's Erica Woodard picked up her fifth foul as she was forced to the bench with 17 points.

Woodard's replacement, Angela Guiu, cut the deficit to 57-56 at the 18 second mark following a pair of missed free throws by Barry. Barry answered with a go-ahead free throw by Christina Thompson to take a 58-56 lead. With the chance to win or tie, UT gave the ball to senior Alexa Kane, who responded with a game-tying runner with one second remaining in regulation.

"I told the team that it took us 20 minutes to get down, and now we need 20 minutes to get back up," says Head Coach Tom Jessee. "Our goal was to cut five points off every four minutes, but the big run to start the half put us in a better situation than expected. We needed to get the ball down low and we did."

In the first overtime, Guiu gave UT its first lead since the first possession of the game, with a three pointer to give the Spartans a 62-61 edge with 2:15 left. The lead was stretched to 67-62 following a pair of free throws and a three pointer by DeShaydia Mackey. The Buccaneers answered with an 8-3 run over the final 1:34 to send the game to a second overtime at 70-70.

Sheena Walton began the second overtime with a basket as UT never trailed in the period. A layup by Mackey with 34 seconds left was enough to seal the comeback victory for Tampa as the Spartans outscored the Bucs 12-7 in the final overtime.

"I am extremely proud of how our team played after the second half," says Jessee. "I credit this senior group for not giving up and doing the necessary things to pull out this victory."

Walton led the way for UT as she scored a team high 23 points to go with 12 rebounds. She also finished with two blocks for the Spartans. Mackey added 22 points while Woodard had 17. Mackey and Hailee Sullivan each contributed six assists while Guiu led the squad with a pair of steals.

For the game, Tampa shot 41.9 percent while scoring 36 points in the paint. Both teams were hindered by their efforts at the free throw line, as UT was 25-39 (.641) and Barry was 19-35 (.543).