During the first half, Tampa enjoyed as much as a six point led early in the game after a few Jaleesa Harmon buckets and a Lindsay Watson trey. The Orediggers would be able to cut the advantage and go up by as much as seven after Brecca Gaffney would get hot for the Colorado School of Mines in her home state scoring 16 points in the first 20 minutes.
The Spartans would be able to go on a run late in the half as Gianna Messina would knock down two consecutive three-pointers. At the expiration of the clock both teams would head into the locker room with the score knotted at 32.
In the second stanza the lead would change six times as the score would be tied a total of six times as well. The Orediggers would gain an eight point advantage with 6:29 to go in the contest as head coach Tom Jessee would be issued a second technical foul in the match-up leaving the Spartans under the wing of assistant coaches Nikki Jessee and Phyillis Kessel. With a fire lit, UT would go on a 4-0 run and soon take a one point lead with just 29 seconds to go.
After a game changing foul was called by the officials, Angie Charchalis of the Mines would head to the line and sink two free throws. Tampa would not be able to convert on a last second shot as they would fall in a heartbreaking single digit loss for the second time this year.
UT's Messina would lead all Spartans just shy of a double-double gathering a team-high 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Watson would follow as a close second scoring 22 points and dishing out two assists.
The Spartans out shot its opponents from behind the arc connecting on 32 percent of its attempts compared to the Mines' 14 percent. The Colorado School of Mines just edged Tampa by a three percent clip in field goals and out-rebounded UT by six boards.
UT returns to action tomorrow at 3 p.m. E.T. to take on Regis University on its home court for the second contest in the Colorado Mines Tournament held in Denver, Colo. Live stats will be available through www.tampaspartans.com.
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Related Item: Box Score
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