The University of Tampa women’s basketball continued its strong season during the winter intermission.
The No. 16 lady Spartans went 6-1 during the break, including a 4-1 mark in Sunshine State Conference play.
Tampa rebounded from a loss in the Armstrong Atlantic State Tournament to Columbus State (57-56) with an 80-72 win over the host team on Dec. 19.
This was the second time that UT defeated the host. AASU led at halftime, but the Spartans used an early second-half run to pull away with the lead.
Junior captain Gianna Messina scored 28 points and pulled down nine rebounds in leading her team to victory.
After a ten-day layoff for Christmas week, the Spartans returned to action on Dec. 29 and defeated Maryville 70-52.
Down 39-38 with 13:46 left, UT hit a 19-0 run and put the game away.
Senior Tiara Cook nearly had a career-high day with 28 points and nine rebounds. Fellow forward Taja Green posted 17 points.
The new decade opened with UT’s first home conference game against Nova Southeastern on Jan. 2. Behind Caitlyn Mitryk’s first double-double of the season, the Spartans rolled to a 61-49 victory.
Mitryk totaled 16 points and 14 rebounds. Cook registered 17 points and Gianna Messina added 13 more.
Saint Leo came to Tampa, Jan. 6, and walked out disappointed.
The game was never in doubt as the Spartans dominated the Lions 78-42. Green scored 15 of her 20 points in the first half. Cook, Mitryk and Catriana Messina also reached double figures in the blowout. Cook earned her third double-double of the year with 17 points and 14 boards.
The matchup at Lynn marked UT’s first blemish on the conference schedule.
Tampa led 30-25 at halftime, and then led by as many as ten in the second half. The Knights stormed back and held the lead during the final few minutes.
A rebound off a missed free throw gave the Spartans a chance, but Angela Guiu just missed her buzzer-beater and they took a 52-50 defeat. Lynn guard Chelsea Patterson paced the victors with 13 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Vengeance was in order at Eckerd, where Tampa cruised over the Tritons. Gianna Messina led all scorers with 22 points, including four three-pointers.
Cook put up her third straight double-double in just 30 minutes on the floor. They helped guide UT to a 23-point halftime lead and a 72-48 road win.
The Spartans returned home Jan. 16 to face Rollins, who they defeated in the conference title game last season.
The result was the same, with UT victorious 60-53. The final score was close, but Tampa never trailed after the 11:53 mark in the first half.
The visiting Tars pulled to within four late, but Cook responded with a basket plus a free throw to seal it. Her dominance continued with a 29-point, 14-rebound contest.
Tampa (15-2, 5-1 SSC) is scheduled for a Jan. 20 meeting with rival Florida Southern (14-2, 5-1 SSC) in Lakeland. Tip-off is set for 5:30 p.m.