Spartans Battle No. 17 Embry-Riddle to the Wire in 67–65 Loss

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's basketball team battled back with a strong second-half effort but came up just short in a 67–65 Sunshine State Conference road loss to No. 17 Embry-Riddle on Saturday afternoon.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Embry-Riddle 67, Tampa 65
Records: Tampa (10–8, 5–4 SSC), Embry-Riddle (13–2, 8–1 SSC)
Location: ICI Center | Daytona Beach, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half
Ryan Franklin won the opening tip, but Embry-Riddle struck first as both teams opened the contest at a measured pace. Tampa's offense found its footing midway through the first quarter behind a Brooklynn Butler three-pointer, followed by a layup. Franklin's work on the glass and an Alanis Diaz jumper helped the Spartans close the gap, while trips to the free-throw line gave Tampa its first lead of the game. The Eagles answered late to hold a narrow 13–12 advantage at the end of the opening period.

Franklin opened the second quarter by capitalizing on a turnover, and Butler knocked down another timely three-pointer to keep the Spartans within striking distance. Embry-Riddle continued to respond offensively, maintaining its lead, while Maddie O'Berski sparked Tampa defensively with a steal. Strong defensive pressure from the Eagles kept them in the lead, and the Spartans headed into halftime down 38–28.

Second Half
Franklin once again jump-started the offense for Tampa to open the third quarter, while Giorgia Palmieri went to work on the offensive end to help chip away at the Eagles' lead. An Amy Thompson three-pointer brought the Spartans closer as the tempo increased and the game turned into a back-and-forth battle. Despite continued pressure from the Embry-Riddle defense, Butler connected on her third and fourth three-pointers of the afternoon, sending Tampa into the final period trailing just 52–51.

Palmieri opened the fourth quarter with a basket to give Tampa the lead, and Olivia Davis followed with a clutch three-pointer to keep the Spartans in front. Embry-Riddle continued to answer offensively, led by Eliana Sheplee, as Thompson added another three and O'Berski battled on the boards and in the paint. The contest came down to the final possessions, but the Eagles were able to convert late as Tampa fell by two, 67–65.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Brooklynn Butler: 14 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast

• Alanis Diaz: 12 pts, 5 reb, 1 ast, 1 stl

• Giorgia Palmieri: 11 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast, 2 stl

• Olivia Davis: 11 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast

• Amy Thompson: 8 pts, 1 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl

• Maddie O'Berski: 5 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 2 stl

• Ryan Franklin: 4 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 46.0% (25–54)

• Three-Point Percentage: 33.0% (8–24)

• Free Throws: 70.0% (7–10)

• Rebounds: 29

• Bench Points: 19 (29%)

• Points in the Paint: 22 (34%)

• Points off Turnovers: 17 (26%)

UP NEXT

The Spartans return home to the Bob Martinez Athletics Center for a rivalry matchup against Florida Southern on Wednesday, January 21, at 5:30 p.m., before heading back on the road to face Florida Tech on Saturday, January 24, at 2:00 p.m.