Spartans Conclude Regular Season Slate With Rivals From Lakeland

TAMPA, Fla. - The 16th-ranked University of Tampa women's basketball team will conclude the regular season on Wednesday night as it hosts conference rival Florida Southern. The Spartans - who have wrapped up the regular season conference title and the No. 1 seed in the Sunshine State Conference tournament - will recognize their three seniors prior to the 5:30 p.m. contest.

The two teams played an exciting affair in Lakeland earlier this season as Angela Guiu gave the Spartans a 69-68 victory on a basket with just 2.4 seconds remaining in the game.

Following its two wins last week, the Spartans moved back up to 16th in the latest USA Today ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll after spending last week at No. 17. Wednesday's opponent is the only other SSC team to receive votes in the poll.

Something will have to give in the contest as UT enters the game with the nation's top field goal percentage defense while the Mocs feature the conference's top offense. Tampa's defense has been particularly strong of late as it has held opponents to shoot 35 percent or less in six consecutive games.

The game marks the last regular season contest on the Tampa hardwood for Tiara Cook, Angela Guiu and Caitlyn Mitryk. The class has compiled an impressive 96-24 record during its tenure at UT.

The night will also be Greek Life Spirit Night as the women's basketball team is pleased to welcome the University's fraternities and sororities to the game. Judges will be present to select the most spirited Greek organization to award a spirit stick and a gift certificate to The Rack.

Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.

Fans may also follow University of Tampa athletics on Twitter (www.twitter.com/utspartans) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/tampaspartans). UT also offers eScores, a free text messaging service that sends text alerts following all Spartan events. To sign up, please register at www.tampaspartans.com.