Balanced Effort Powers Tampa Past Rollins 78-45

TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa Women's Basketball faced Rollins College in a Valentine's Day matchup Saturday afternoon. The Spartans earned a 78–45 Sunshine State Conference win over the Tars behind a strong all-around performance.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP

Final: Tampa 78, Rollins 45
Records: Tampa (16–9, 11–5 SSC), Rollins (7–17, 2–15 SSC)
Location: Bob Martinez Athletic Center | Tampa, Fla.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half
Tampa won the tipoff. Rollins struck first, while Olivia Davis got Tampa on the board with a three. Ryan Franklin went to work in the paint, and Alanis Diaz grabbed early rebounds. Amy Thompson knocked down a three to push Tampa ahead. The Tars kept things close, but another Thompson three kept the Spartans rolling offensively. Trips to the line from Faith Pickens and Thompson closed the first quarter with Tampa leading 16–15.

The pace picked up to start the second. Thompson opened the quarter with her third three of the day and quickly added her fourth, building on another strong performance from deep last Wednesday on the road. Palmieri used her speed for a layup in the paint. The Tars continued firing offensively as the Spartans worked for defensive stops. Thompson added her fifth three of the day, and Diaz finished a fast break. A Rollins buzzer-beater closed the half with Tampa leading 33–24.

Second Half
Franklin scored inside to get things going in the third. The freshman made an impact after a big steal by Maddie O'Berski led to a Faith Pickens layup. Palmieri added a three as the Spartans applied defensive pressure. Another Franklin basket in the paint sent Tampa into the final period ahead 50–34.

A big rebound from O'Berski led to a Brooklynn Butler three to open the fourth. Palmieri converted a strong and-one to extend the lead. Jade Thompson went to work in the paint, and Davis hit another big three. Butler added a pair from beyond the arc, and Noelle Mengel knocked down one of her own. The Spartans secured the dominant 78–45 win over Rollins College.

INSIDE THE STATS

• Ryan Franklin: 18 pts, 7 reb, 2 blk
• Amy Thompson: 16 pts, 1 reb
• Giorgia Palmieri: 10 pts, 9 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl
• Faith Pickens: 10 pts, 6 reb
• Brooklynn Butler: 9 pts, 1 reb, 2 ast
• Olivia Davis: 6 pts, 4 reb, 1 ast
• Alanis Diaz: 4 pts, 12 reb, 3 ast

TEAM STATS

• Field Goal Percentage: 47% (29–62)
• Three-Point Percentage: 43% (12–28)
• Free Throws: 67% (8–12)
• Rebounds: 47
• Off the Bench: 24 (31%)
• Points in the Paint: 34 (44%)

UP NEXT
Tampa returns to action at the Bob on Wednesday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m. against Lynn, then hits the road for a rivalry faceoff at Florida Southern on Saturday, February 21 at 4:00 p.m.