Led by All-American Sydney Kin, No. 1 seeded University of Tampa (32-1) ended another outstanding season for the Lee women’s basketball team in the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament, hosted by Tampa.
“We had a great season and I am extremely proud of this group,” said Lee Coach Marty Rowe. “Tampa was really good tonight and hats off to them. This team got everything out of the season and fought to the very end. I could not be more proud of them.”
Rowe went on to say, “Our seniors elevated the program and left it better than they found it. They are four special people (Haley Schubert, Hannah Garrett, Macy Woodworth and Morgan Carbaugh).” Lee finishes the season as co-champions of the Gulf South Conference regular season. Under Coach Rowe they scored another impressive 26-7 record.
Saturday’s South Region semifinal contest was decided in the opening half when the powerful Spartans jumped out to a 45-23 halftime lead and coasted to the finish line in the 73-51 victory. Kin scored 24 of her 33 points in the opening two quarters. For the game she connected on 12-of-14 field goal attempts and made 9-of-10 free throws. A bonus was eight rebounds as Tampa out-boarded the Lady Flames by only one, 31-30.
The other half of the Spartan scoring machine was Melu Sullivan who tallied 18 points and made 8-of-11 of her field goal attempts. Tampa was a blistering 55% shooting overall (28-51). The host Spartans took on 14 triples but converted six (43%) and they made 11-of-13 freebies.
On the other hand, Haley Schubert completed her career with 24 points. She was 9-of-20 in attempts from the field, 2-of-6 from beyond the arc and made the only four free throws the Lady Flames were awarded the entire evening. Lee was whistled for 18 fouls and the Spartans only seven.
Mallory Hampton added nine points and seven rebounds while dishing off four assists. Macy Woodworth found the going tough inside but still managed eight boards and six points. Hannah Garrett finished her Lee career by making a pair of 3-pointers. No other Lady Flame had more than three points.
For the game, Lee shot 35% from the field (20-of-57). They converted 7-of-24 from long range (29%) and as mentioned earlier made the only four free throws they were awarded. The Lady Flames were guilty of 14 turnovers to 10 assists while Tampa had 13 assists to 10 turnovers.
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