On a rainy Gasparilla Saturday, UT women’s basketball rained on Florida Tech’s parade.
The No. 14 Tampa Spartans (18-2, 8-1 SSC) came back from a first half deficit to defeat Florida Tech (10-10, 2-7 SSC) 75-62 at the Martinez Center.
The visiting Panthers led 30-13 nine minutes into the game, thanks largely to costly turnovers.
Head coach Tom Jessee blamed the slow start on the week-long layoff between games.
“We were just a little rusty, sloppy with the ball,” Jessee said. “We thought that might happen early. Give some credit to Florida Tech. They shot 59 percent in the first half.
We know we’re going to get everybody’s best game. You’ve got a target on your back when you’re the number-one team in the league.”
UT pulled to within three at 37-34 by halftime.
Senior forward Tiara Cook stormed out of the gate to score the Spartans’ first 10 second half points.
The lead changed hands several times until a 9-0 run starting with 8:41 left gave Tampa the advantage for good.
“Being down doesn’t mean that it’s over,” Cook said. “Those five people on the court just have to carry out the gameplan and keep pushing.”
Jessee commended the team on its persistence.
“It was a character test,” Jessee said. “We don’t ever panic, that’s one thing about our veteran ball club. As long as there’s time on the clock, we have time to come back.”
Gianna Messina led UT with 25 points. Cook finished with 21, Angela Guiu added 12 and Taja Green posted 10 to round out the double-figure scorers.
Panthers guards Kristen Dixon and Ashton McClairen each scored 14 points in their losing effort.
The game was littered with fouls and physical play.
Tampa shot 43 free throws while FIT went to the line 29 times.
“It was very physical,” Cook said. “Tech has always played like that during the four years I’ve been here. We just have to be ready for it. It makes us players hustle after every single ball.”
Not all fouls took place on the court.
The referees hit Jessee with a technical foul in the first half for arguing over a foul call.
Florida Tech coach John Reynolds received a technical of his own in the second half, also for a verbal dispute.
Jessee said after the game that it was solely “the officials’ judgment” that got him called, but declined further comment.
UT’s next game is at Nova Southeastern, the site of this year’s Sunshine State Conference Tournament, on Feb. 3.
The Spartans return home Feb. 6 to face Lynn, who handed them their lone conference loss Jan. 9.
Brenton Burkett can be reached at bburkett@ut.edu.