UT Women’s Basketball One Victory Away From SSC Championship

TAMPA, Fla. - With one regular season game remaining, The University of Tampa women's basketball team is one victory away from at least a share of the 2008-09 Sunshine State Conference regular season championship. In the program's 34th season, the Spartans are looking to win their third SSC title.

Currently tied with Rollins College with identical 11-4 records, both teams will be on the road with each needing a win to capture the crown. On Saturday Tampa (21-5) will meet Lynn (16-10) at 5:30 p.m., while Rollins (22-4) faces Eckerd (16-10) in a 2 p.m., battle.

After being pegged fourth in the SSC preseason poll, UT is looking to win its first regular season league championship in six years, which came in head coach Tom Jessee's first season at the helm in 2002-03. The other Spartan title came in the 1993-94 season.

Following the regular season, UT will host a quarterfinal game of the 2009 Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida SSC Tournament on Wednesday. A victory would send the Spartans to the semifinals on Sat., Mar. 7 at Fort Lauderdale. The championship game is slated for Sun., Mar. 8 with the final two rounds being played at Nova Southeastern University.

Tampa has won three SSC tournaments in program history, with two coming under Jessee's watch. While winning in 2006 and 2007, the Spartans captured their first title in 2000.

A link to live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com. Fans may also sign up for eScores through the UT athletics website to receive text message alerts following Spartan games.