Tampa Listed at No. 15 in Latest WBCA Rankings
LILBURN, Ga. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team has been tabbed No. 15 in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) top-25 poll.
The Spartans sit at 11-1 on the season after setting a program record for consecutive wins to start a season at 10. The win was a 52-49 triumph over then-No. 23 Rollins College in its Sunshine State Conference opener.
UT achieved its first ranking of the season on Dec. 11, coming in at No. 24 after starting the year unranked. The Spartans were also ranked No. 10 on Jan. 8, setting a program-record for the highest-ever ranking.
Tampa is among two Sunshine State Conference schools in the national rankings, joined by No. 19 Rollins College. Nova Southeastern is listed as receiving votes.
The Spartans have a quartet of players in double figures, led by Illyssa Vivo and her 13.3 points per game. Shamika Williams (11.9), Moriah Hodge (11.8) and Julianna Cavallaro (10.7) are all averaging double digits as the staple for UT has been its defense that is holding opponents to an average of 52.8 points per game.
Under UT's all-time winningest women's basketball coach, Tom Jessee, the Spartans are no stranger to the national polls as UT has been ranked in five of the past six seasons. It also marks the 25th week in the rankings for the Jessee-led Spartans.
Tampa currently ranks ninth in the nation in scoring defense. Additionally, the Spartans are 10th in win-loss percentage (91.7) and third in personal fouls per game (12.4). Vivo is also No. 45 in assist/turnover ratio at 1.68.
Tampa hosts a pair of SSSC contests this week, beginning with Saint Leo University on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. UT will also welcome Nova Southeastern to the Martinez Center for a Saturday meeting at 2 p.m.
Live stats and a webcast will be available through TampaSpartans.com.
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