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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Sugrue_011522_HF1A3002
Camille Jackson
41
Embry-Riddle ERAUW 9-9,6-5 Sunshine
63
Winner Tampa UT 21-4,12-2 Sunshi
Embry-Riddle ERAUW
9-9,6-5 Sunshine
41
Final
63
Tampa UT
21-4,12-2 Sunshi
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Embry-Riddle ERAUW 11 13 11 6 41
Tampa UT 11 21 18 13 63

Game Recap: #13 Women's Basketball | | Kyrin Mayfield

Women’s Basketball Falters Against Tampa

TAMPA, Fla. - Following a three-game homestand, the Embry-Riddle women's basketball team traveled to Tampa to face the No. 18/19-ranked Spartans (21-4, 12-2 Sunshine State Conference). While the Eagles (9-10, 7-7 SSC) kept it close in the first two quarters, shooting woes caused Embry-Riddle to fall behind in the second half as the Eagles lost 63-41 on Saturday. 

Tampa had the early edge as the Spartans jumped out to a slight 6-3 lead before Embry-Riddle fought back to go ahead 11-8 thanks to 3-pointers from Shelby Bischoff and Eva Zaragoza in back-to-back possessions. The Eagles closed out the opening period with stout defense to hold Tampa to mid-range jumpers and a mark of 1-for-6 from the floor over the final five minutes. 

Tied at 11, the Spartans made their first three shots of the second quarter, along with a free throw, to retake the lead at 18-13 before Embry-Riddle rallied with its own shooting streak of three made shots in a row, capped off by two consecutive layups from Keturah Balabyekkubo. However, Tampa took command at the close of the first half with a 12-4 run in the last four minutes to lead 32-24 into the locker room. 

Despite the deficit, the Eagles shot well behind the arc going 4-for-8 over the first two quarters. 

It was another hot start to a period by the Spartans as they started the third quarter on an 8-0 spurt to shoot ahead 40-24. Tampa relentlessly drove to the basket as the Spartan's first seven shots of the quarter were layups. Nikki Tucker tried to lead Embry-Riddle back by scoring the team's final eight points of the period, all of which were layups, including an impressive possession where the Eagles used four offensive rebounds to eventually put a shot through the net. Unfortunately, Embry-Riddle trailed 50-35 heading into the final ten minutes of action.

The Eagles were unable to close the gap as both teams went cold in the fourth quarter going a combined 6-for-25 on the court. 

Nikki Tucker led Embry-Riddle in scoring for the fourth game in a row with 13 points and also recorded a team-high nine rebounds. Keturah Balabyekkubo had an impressive game as well with nine points and a career-best eight rebounds, six of which were offensive. 

The Eagles are back at the ICI Center on Wednesday, Feb. 9 at 5:30 p.m. as Embry-Riddle hosts Lynn for Food Brings Hope Night.
The Embry-Riddle women's basketball season is presented by Daytona Mitsubishi.
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