Tampa Survives Palm Beach Atlantic to Remain Undefeated

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The University of Tampa (7-0) women's basketball team moved to 7-0 with a 68-60 victory over Palm Beach Atlantic University (1-4).

At 7-0, this marks the best Spartan start to a season since the Tom Jessee-coached 2009-10 squad opened at 9-0. The seven straight victories is also the second-most in program history to open a season.

The Spartans faced a deficit as PBA held onto a 31-25 halftime lead. A pair of Shamika Williams free throws with 8:09 left in the game gave the Spartans their first lead since early in the game at 48-47.

Tampa finished the game on an 11-4 run over the final 2:55. Tampa was 8-for-8 from the free throw line during that stretch, with Williams making each of her six attempts.

Illyssa Vivo paced Tampa with a team-high 25 points on 9-of-13 shooting from the field. Williams added 14 points as freshman Juliana Cavallaro chipped in 11.

Moriah Hodge led all Spartans with nine rebounds as Williams also grabbed eight. Hodge also tallied a team-leading six assists.

After shooting 33.3 percent from the field in the first half, Tampa finished strong with a 60 percent effort in the second. The Spartans connected on 10 shots from long-range, including five from Vivo.

Tampa will not be in action until it plays a pair of games on Dec. 18-19 at the Florida Southern Tournament in Lakeland, Fla. The Spartans will meet NCAA South Region opponents Alabama in Huntsville and North Alabama at the tournament.

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