Spartans Pick Up 20th Win Of Season With 69-58 Victory

TAMPA, Fla. - For the first time in program history, The University of Tampa Spartans women's basketball team has recorded a fourth straight 20-win season. Tampa improved to 20-5 overall on the season while its conference mark moved to 10-4 with a 69-58 victory over Florida Tech. The Panthers fell to 17-8 overall and 6-8 in the SSC.

Gianna Messina once again turned in a strong performance, leading the Spartans with 23 points. The sophomore also led Tampa on Wednesday night with 24 against Saint Leo.

For the second straight game, the Spartans shot over 50 percent from the field, being good for 54.1 percent against the Panthers while limiting the visitors to shoot just 25.4 percent. Tampa has yet to allow an opponent to shot over the .500 mark all season.

The Spartans led by six at the halftime break and never allowed FIT to pull any closer. Tech pulled within six late in the second half, but Angela Guiu nailed a timely three-point basket which was followed by a Kym Taylor layup to give Tampa a comfortable margin once more.

Taylor added 13 points for the Spartans while Tiara Cook and Caitlyn Mitryk rounded out UT's double-figure scorers with 12 and 11 points respectively. Mitryk and Taylor pulled down eight rebounds apiece to pace the Spartans in that category while Mitryk also added five assists.

Tampa remains at home on Wednesday for a 5:30 p.m. game against conference rival Florida Southern. The team's seniors will be recognized at a pregame ceremony.

A live webcast and live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also 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.