Gianna Messina Selected as SSC Player of the Week

ORLANDO, Fla. - For the second consecutive week, The University of Tampa women's basketball team had one of its members selected as the Sunshine State Conference's Player of the Week. UT sophomore guard Gianna Messina won the award for the period ending Feb. 15. Hailee Sullivan captured the recognition last week.

Messina led the Spartans to a pair of SSC victories, averaging 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals per game.

In the Spartans 64-59 win over Eckerd, the Tampa native tallied 24 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and a steal.

In Saturday's 60-59 overtime win at Barry, she tallied 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and two steals to help the Spartans overcome an 18-point second half deficit. Her most clutch basket came when she hit a game-tying three-pointer as time expired to send the contest into the extra period.

In the two contests, Messina shot 54 percent (15-for-28) from the field, 50 percent (7-for-14) from three-point range, and 80 percent (4-of-5) at the line.