Faith Pickens (No. 14) helped UTampa defeat Palm Beach Atlantic on Senior Day with a career-high 20 points, four rebounds, an assist, and a block. Photo courtesy of Genesis Muckle.
On Senior Day inside the Martinez Center, UTampa women’s basketball defeated Palm Beach Atlantic 75-42 to end its regular season with a commanding 50-rebound team performance and a career-high 20 points from Faith Pickens.
–
By Jaide Edwards
TAMPA, Fla. — It was senior day, and the University of Tampa women’s basketball team played a game that was worthy of celebration. The Spartans defeated Palm Beach Atlantic (PBA) 75-42 to cap the regular season.
Tampa appeared locked in from the very beginning, with tipoff at 2 p.m. With the starting lineup, guards sophomore Giorgia Palmieri, junior Olivia Davis, and sophomore Amy Thompson. Adding graduate forward Alanis Diaz and junior center Ryan Franklin.
Palm Beach Atlantic scored first, but Thompson put an end to any early concerns by making a three-pointer to give the Spartans the lead. Franklin started working inside right away, managing the glass and scoring in the paint.
It was no coincidence that there was an inside presence. Alanis Diaz, the senior forward, highlighted that they had a strategy before entering.
“Since two of their better players were injured, it made it easier to defend them since their role players had to step into more of a scoring role,” said Diaz. “We knew they played an unorthodox zone, so we just adjusted to that.”
She continued, saying that’s just their philosophy to keep playing inside out.
Tampa used defensive pressure and second-chance opportunities to gain separation, and by the end of the first quarter, they had a 17-14 lead.
According to head coach Thomas Jessee, their team develops defensive focus each week.
“We prepare for each game the same way,” Jessee said. “We talk about how we will guard the best players and our strategy on defending our home court. Same goal each Saturday is to have a 1 and 0 day.”
The game completely changed in the second quarter.
Before Diaz made a quick jumper, Franklin started the period at the line. Later, Franklin made an and-one that got everyone on their feet. Thompson stretched the Sailfish defense and made difficult rotations by shooting timely three-pointers.
In the meantime, PBA was still overpowered by UTampa’s internal influence. Pickens stormed the lane for crucial points, while Maddie O’Berski, freshman guard, battled for a rebound and completed her own putback.
The Spartans’ fierce defense constrained the Sailfish’s clean looks, and Tampa gradually increased the lead. The scoreboard showed 39-19 at halftime, a 20-point lead going into the intermission.
After halftime, Tampa wasted no time.
Thompson made her fifth three-pointer of the game to start the third quarter. The Spartans increased their lead possession by possession after Franklin’s jumper and Palmieri’s layup inside.
Pickens continued her career-high 20-point outburst by going 2-for-2 from the line and finishing through contact. Franklin finished a strong afternoon with 19 points and 15 rebounds with another and-one.
Tampa had a 57-29 lead at the end of the third quarter.
The fourth quarter turned into a celebration. Brooklyn Butler, sophomore forward, made a three-pointer to start the period, and Tampa’s bench continued to play significant minutes. The game was decided by the Spartans’ 30 bench points and 50-27 rebound advantage over PBA.
By the time the final buzzer blew, Tampa had won 75–42, limiting the Sailfish to just 24.6% shooting.
With 20 points, four rebounds, and a block, Pickens led all scorers. With 19 points and 15 rebounds, Franklin recorded a double-double. Thompson made five 3-pointers to end with 15 points.
Tampa turns its focus to postseason matches after the regular season is over, and head coach Thomas Jessee believes the team is at its best right now.
“The team has shown great improvement during each game and is playing our best basketball heading into our conference tournament next week,” Jessee said. “Super proud of them.”