Tampa Proves Too Much for Lynn Women's Basketball

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Lynn University women's basketball team stumbled on Saturday afternoon, falling 70-59 at the hands of the Tampa Spartans. The loss drops the Fighting Knights to 2-11, including a mark of 0-7 in the Sunshine State Conference.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Tampa 70, Lynn 59

Records: Tampa (8-7, 2-4 SSC), Lynn (2-11, 0-7 SSC)

Location: de Hoernle Sports and Cultural Center | Boca Raton, Fla.

Series: Tampa leads 36-9

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• First Quarter: The Fighting Knights controlled the opening tip and scored eight of the game's first 10 points. Tampa collected 11 rebounds in the first quarter, but Shatorria Baker's trio of three-pointers lifted Lynn to an 18-15 advantage at quarter's end.
• Second Quarter: Nina Guillaume converted a three-point play to put the home team in front by six to start the second frame. Lynn remained on top until Tampa's Ellen Nurmi connected on a jumper that tied the game at 30 apiece with two minutes remaining in the first half. The Fighting Knights would add one more bucket before heading to the locker room with a 32-30 edge.
• Third Quarter: The two teams exchanged baskets for the first five minutes of the third period, but an easy layup gave Tampa a 38-36 lead. Despite a big offensive quarter from Nina Guillaume, the Spartans were able to overcome it and didn't look back. Lynn cut the deficit to 45-42 heading to the fourth quarter.
• Fourth Quarter: The Spartans picked up where they left off in the third quarter, outscoring Lynn 25-17 in the closing stretch. Zachara Bailey's five points led the home team in the final frame, while Tampa guards Juliana Cavallaro and Candace Martino combined for 13 to lift the Spartans to their second SSC victory.

QUOTABLE:

• "We are extremely talented individually, but one thing we have been focusing on is figuring out how to play together. Today, we moved the ball better than I have seen all year. Part of sharing the ball is playing inside out, and that opened up some shots. Wednesday is going to be another tough road conference game, but hopefully we can do something special against Eckerd." - Lynn head coach Julia Huddleston

STATS FROM THE GAME:

• Guillaume finished her night with 19 points to lead all scorers, while Baker ended the game as the only other Fighting Knight in double-figures.
• Tampa's Karma Jeremie recorded a game-high 11 rebounds, all on the defensive side of the glass. Guillaume's eight proved to be a team-best.
• Three other Spartans found their way into double-figure scoring, including Martino adding 10 off the bench.
• Lynn shot 35.7% from the floor on Saturday, while Tampa shot an even 50%.
• Both teams were almost automatic from the charity stripe, combining to sink 30 of 36 free throws.
• The Fighting Knights won the low turnover battle by a tally of 10-8.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Guillaume's 19 points were four short of her career high, which came last February against the Tampa.
• Baker connected on her first five three-pointers, tying her for eighth on the all-time school list.
• Lynn's next contest is on the road against Eckerd, where head coach Julia Huddleston played from 1998-2002.

UP NEXT

The Fighting Knights return to action on Wednesday, when they travel St. Petersburg to take on Eckerd in Sunshine State Conference play. Tipoff is slated for 5:30 pm.