Spartans Slip By Rivals For Eighth Straight Victory

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa Spartans secured their eighth consecutive victory Wednesday night with a 71-66 decision over rival Florida Southern. The win improved the Spartans to 21-5 on the season and 10-4 in conference play while the Mocs fell to 18-7 and 8-6.

Tiara Cook picked up her team-leading fourth double-double of the season in the back-and-forth contest that featured 12 lead changes and 10 ties. The junior finished the night with 22 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.

The hosts trailed by six midway through the opening half, but UT went on a 7-0 run thanks to a pair of layups from Kym Taylor and Gianna Messina followed by a three-point basket from Messina. The lead exchanged hands a few more times before the teams went into the locker room at the break tied at 32.

Florida Southern took a one-point lead with 5:42 remaining in the game, the first lead of the half for the visitors. However, Caitlyn Mitryk immediately answered back with a trey to regain the lead. Mitryk finished as one of four Tampa players in double-figures, scoring 11 points. She also led the Spartans with 6 assists.

The game would be deadlocked twice more, but the Mocs never regained an advantage.

Messina finished the game tied with Cook with 22 points while Taylor chipped in 16 on a night which featured her being honored as one of the team's three seniors. Hailee Sullivan and Whitney Porter were also recognized during the pregame ceremony.

The Spartans shot over .500 - shooting 55.6 percent - from the field for the third straight game while limiting Florida Southern to just 36.8 percent shooting.

Tampa concludes the SSC regular season schedule on the road Saturday with a 5:30 p.m. contest at Lynn. A win would guarantee the Spartans at least a share of the regular season title. The Spartans suffered its lone home loss to the Fighting Knights, dropping a 67-63 decision in January.