West Georgia Outlasts Spartans in Regional Matchup

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa women's basketball team fell in a close battle against visiting University of West Georgia in a matchup between NCAA South Region foes.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP: 
Final Score: West Georgia 69, Tampa 67
Records: University of Tampa Spartans (1-1), University of West Georgia Wolves (2-0)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletics Center || Tampa, Fla.
All-Time Series: This marked the 10th all-time meeting between the two schools, with the series split at 5-5. UWG snapped a two-game UT winning streak in the series.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1st Quarter | Tampa started where it left off from Friday's victory as it got out to a 13-1 lead before going scoreless for the final 4-plus minutes of the quarter. The Wolves shot just 11.1 percent from the floor, though they were able to get to the free throw line and convert on 7-of-9 from the stripe. || Tampa 13, West Georgia 12

2nd Quarter | The game remained a tight battle, though UT started the quarter on a 9-0 run to stretch its lead to double figures. The Wolves would chip away at the lead and evened the tally after going on a 6-0 run to close the half. UT had a significant advantage on the boards, 10-3, as West Georgia kept it close by hitting 5-of-11 from 3-point range. || Tampa 28, West Georgia 28

3rd Quarter | West Georgia held a five-point lead at the mid-way point of the period before Tampa closed the gap to grab a 44-43 with 2:23 to go in the third. The Wolves would quickly regain the momentum and head to the final quarter with the lead after closing on an 8-3 run. Both teams shot well in the third, with West Georgia connecting on 52.6 percent from the floor with three long-range shots while the Spartans were 50 percent from the field. || West Georgia 51, Tampa 47

4th Quarter | UT turned the tide as it took a 59-55 lead with 6:23 to play and would lead by as many as five points with just over five minutes to play in regulation. The Wolves were able to keep the game tight, forcing UT turnovers on three consecutive possessions with just over two minutes to play. West Georgia then grabbed the two-point lead with 1:16 on the clock and secured the victory on another Spartanturnover. Despite shooting 9-for-13 from the field and outrebounding its opponent 8-5, Tampa committed six turnovers in the final period. || West Georgia 69, Tampa 67

INSIDE THE STATS:

• LaShayla Wright-Ponder led all Spartans with 22 points.
• Dori Nagy had a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds. Shooting 7-for11 from the field, she also made each of her five free throw attempts.
• Leading UT in assists was Kris Nelson with five. She also led UT with two steals.

BEYOND THE BOX:

• The Wolves won both games of the opening classic, defeating UT and Florida Tech.
• After finishing her sophomore season with 10 double-doubles, Nagy recorded her first of the 2019-20 season.
• Tampa has now made 23-of-24 free throws in its first two games, which is 95.8 percent.

UP NEXT: Tampa opens its Sunshine State Conference slate on Saturday, Nov. 23 against reigning NCAA South Region champ Nova Southeastern at 2 p.m.

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