Spartans Rally Late but Come Up Just Short

LAKELAND, Fla. – The Spartans fell in a road Sunshine State Conference matchup to the Moccasins after a late push, 65–62.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Florida Southern 65, Tampa 62
Records: Tampa (17–10, 12–6 SSC), Florida Southern (19–6, 13–5 SSC)
Location: George Jenkins Field House | Lakeland, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half
Florida Southern won the tipoff, with Ryan Franklin getting on the board first. The fast-paced game started back and forth through the opening quarter. Palmieri knocked down a jumper to battle for the lead, and Faith Pickens hit a jumper to end the first tied, 17–17.

The pace picked up in the second. Olivia Davis opened the quarter with a deep three, and Franklin went to work in the paint as the Spartans pushed for stops defensively. Brooklynn Butler made a successful trip to the line, then added a three. Maddie O'Berski came up with a steal, while the Mocs kept things close. Jade Thompson went to the charity stripe, and Florida Southern went on a run behind Sydney Gomes to take the lead, but Diaz answered inside to slow the momentum. The Spartans entered halftime trailing 38–33.

Second Half
Alanis Diaz opened the half with a layup as the Spartans stayed aggressive. A Franklin and-one helped chip away at the deficit, but the Mocs stayed hot offensively. A Jade Thompson layup cut into the lead, followed by another finish through traffic. Diaz continued to produce in the paint while Florida Southern's offense remained strong behind Gomes.

Franklin opened the fourth with a quick bucket and a steal. Butler knocked down a big three, and Diaz added a steal of her own. Jade Thompson sank a pair from the line, but Gomes continued her offensive push for Florida Southern. Giorgia Palmieri scored as the shot clock expired, and Diaz went back to the line to keep the Spartans within reach. Jade Thompson recorded another steal, and Amy Thompson drilled a clutch three. Tampa caught fire late, turning it into a tight, intense contest in the final minutes, but a last-second attempt to tie fell short as the Spartans dropped the game, 65–62.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Ryan Franklin: 17 pts, 6 reb, 1 stl
• Alanis Diaz: 10 pts, 3 reb, 6 ast, 1 stl
• Brooklynn Butler: 8 pts, 2 ast
• Jade Thompson: 8 pts, 2 reb, 1 ast, 2 stl
• Giorgia Palmieri: 6 pts, 2 reb, 2 ast
• Olivia Davis: 6 pts, 3 reb, 2 ast

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 51% (24–47)
• Three-Point Percentage: 38% (5–13)
• Free Throws: 100% (9–9)
• Rebounds: 22
• Off the Bench: 20 (32%)
• Points in the Paint: 24 (39%)

UP NEXT

Tampa will hit the road to face Saint Leo on Wednesday, the 25th at 5:00 p.m., then return to the Bob for the final home game and Senior Day against Palm Beach Atlantic on Saturday, February 28 at 2:00 p.m.