Tampa Hangs On To Slip By Eckerd

TAMPA, Fla. - Despite allowing a second half 17-point advantage dwindle away, The University of Tampa Spartans (17-5, 7-4 SSC) defeated visiting Eckerd College (14-9, 7-5 SSC) 64-59 Wednesday night, avenging a loss from earlier this season.

The Spartans took a 31-29 lead into the locker room at half thanks to a last-second Caitlyn Mitryk three-pointer from just inside the half-court line. Tampa had trailed by as many as seven points in the half that featured eight lead changes.

A 4-0 Triton run allowed the lead to change hands to open the second stanza before Tampa rolled off an 8-0 run of its own to take a six-point lead at the 13:17 mark.

Three consecutive treys - two from Gianna Messina followed by another Mitryk long-range basket - gave the hosts a 15-point advantage near the halfway mark of the period. Kym Taylor followed the parade of threes with two of her 12 points pushing the UT lead out to 17.

Eckerd outscored the Spartans 19-2 in the next six minutes to tie the game with 2:41 remaining and the visitors eventually took a two-point lead at the 1:28 mark.

With the Spartans trailing by one with 39 seconds left to play, Messina once again pulled through in the clutch. Her layup gave the Spartans an advantage they would not relinquish. She and Hailee Sullivan were perfect on trips to the free throw line in the game's closing seconds to give Tampa the five-point victory.

Messina established a new career high with 24 points while also leading the Spartans by pulling down seven rebounds. Sullivan also chipped in 10 points while Angela Guiu led UT with seven assists, a new career mark for the junior.

Tampa scored 25 points off of Eckerd turnovers while the Tritons just managed nine of the same.

The Spartans hit the road on Saturday for a conference matchup at Barry with a 2 p.m. scheduled tip. Tampa defeated Barry at home by a 62-41 margin in January. Fans may sign up for eScores, a free service that sends text message alerts to fans at the conclusion of Spartan athletic events. Please visit the official athletics website to sign up.