Lynn Overtakes Tampa on Last-Second Shot

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The University of Tampa (3-5, 0-2) women's basketball team led by as many as 10 points in the second-half before falling by a 55-54 score to Lynn University (3-3, 1-0 SSC) in a Sunshine State Conference matchup on Saturday at the de Hoernle Center.

Tampa ended the first half on a 15-3 run and capitalized on 11 first-half turnovers by Lynn to carry a 33-25 advantage to the break. The Spartans benefited from the Fighting Knight miscues, scoring 14 points off turnovers in the opening half.

After stretching its lead to 10 points on a Kamari Smith layup to give the Spartans a 35-25 lead, UT allowed Lynn to rattle off a 13-2 run to take a 38-37 edge with 14:15 to play.

The Spartans would enjoy another spurt that allowed them to grab a 52-46 advantage with 3:30 remaining in regulation, though the Fighting Knights would cut the Spartan lead to 52-51 following a 3-pointer and field goal.

Illyssa Vivo would convert on a pair of free throws to stretch the margin to three in favor of Tampa, before Lynn responded with a pair of baskets including a coast-to-coast driving layup by Marquis Lee with 1.7 seconds showing on the clock. A last-second Tampa shot did not fall as Lynn capitalized on eight second-half turnovers for Tampa while Lynn had just four.

SSC Player of the Week Moriah Hodge led all Spartans with 18 points and two steals as the junior from Cincinnati, Ohio, also connected on a pair of 3-pointers. Jaleesa Harmon and Sarah Wickham were also in double figures with 13 and 11 respectively.

Harmon was hindered by foul trouble as she ultimately fouled out with 4:28 to play, forcing head coach Tom Jessee to a five-player unit for the remainder of the game.

Kamari Smith led Tampa with seven rebounds as the junior guard added five second-half points. Vivo added seven points to go with a team-high four assists. Four Spartans played the entire contest as Hodge, Wickham, Vivo and Smith each logged 40 minutes of action.

Tampa will look to put an end to its two-game skid as it hosts Ave Maria University on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., at the Bob Martinez Athletics Center. A video webcast and live stats will be available through tampaspartans.tv.

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