Spartans Defend Home Court in Rivalry Win vs. Florida Southern

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa women's basketball team earned a rivalry conference victory over Florida Southern on Saturday night at the Bob Martinez Center.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Tampa 64, Florida Southern 55
Records: Tampa (11–8, 6–4 SSC), Florida Southern (12–5, 6–4 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Center | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half
Florida Southern won the opening tip, but Tampa quickly set the tone defensively. An early steal by Giorgia Palmieri sparked the Spartans, and Ryan Franklin got Tampa on the board first with a basket in the paint, followed by a bucket from Alanis Diaz. Tampa's defensive pressure continued, highlighted by a steal from Olivia Davis, as Diaz fought through traffic for another basket.

A timely bucket from Brooklynn Butler helped Tampa extend its lead, and a Maddie O'Berski and-one kept the momentum going. Butler and Diaz controlled the paint throughout the opening quarter, giving the Spartans a 22–12 lead at the end of the first period.

Diaz opened the second quarter with a quick jumper. Florida Southern responded with an offensive push to stay within reach, but a Davis three-pointer helped Tampa maintain control. O'Berski added another strong finish inside, and a Palmieri three-pointer late in the half helped Tampa stay in front heading into the break, 34-32.

Second Half
Olivia Davis got the Spartans going offensively to open the third quarter as the game turned into a back-and-forth battle. An O'Berski three-pointer gave Tampa a boost, but Florida Southern continued to answer, keeping the contest tight. Diaz provided energy with an and-one, yet the Mocs stayed close as Tampa held a narrow 51–49 lead heading into the fourth.

The fourth quarter remained fast-paced and competitive. A Palmieri three-pointer pushed Tampa back in front, followed by another key and-one from Diaz. Butler and Palmieri drew crucial fouls down the stretch, while the Spartans locked in defensively to close out the rivalry win 64-55.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Alanis Diaz: 16 pts, 3 reb, 4 ast

• Giorgia Palmieri: 14 pts, 7 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl

• Maddie O'Berski: 11 pts, 2 reb

• Ryan Franklin: 9 pts, 8 reb

• Olivia Davis: 6 pts, 3 reb, 1 ast, 3 stl

• Brooklynn Butler: 6 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast, 1 stl

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 51.0% (23–45)

• Three-Point Percentage: 36.0% (4–11)

• Free Throws: 74.0% (14–19)

• Rebounds: 26

• Bench Points: 17 (27%)

• Points in the Paint: 34 (53%)

• Points off Turnovers: 12 (19%)