"To open up conference play is what it is all about. Barry University is a tough place to play and win at, but I believe all the games we have played to this point have prepared us for the conference match-ups."
Tampa leads the all-times series record against Barry 37-17 with the last meeting being held in the 2010 NCAA South Regional tournament as the Spartans just edged the Buccaneers by a four point margin 55-51.
Leading the Spartans this season is freshman guard Lindsey Watson already making her stand in the Spartan line-up and producing spectacular numbers for Tampa this season. The five-foot-seven native of Apopka, Fla. ranks first on the team in scoring averaging 19.6 ppg and has already added her name to the UT record books just five games into the season. Watson collected the second highest single-game scoring record in Spartan history going 9-18 from the field, good for 34 points in the win over Valdosta State. In her career performance, the freshman phenom took the number one spot in Tampa history tallying the most points scored in a half as she hit 5-6 from behind the arc ending the period with 24.
The rookie has also produced the squad's lone double-double this season in the win over Regis University during the Colorado Mines tournament held in Denver, Colo. scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 boards. A possible freshman of the year candidate, Watson looks to be a big part of UT's future with four years of eligibility left.
Also adding to the Spartan's offensive fire power is senior guard Gianna Messina. Already the three-year captain has tabbed SSC Player of the Week honors in the period ending November 28th averaging 25.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, two assists, and two steals in a pair of games to receive the nod.
The five-foot-six native of Tampa, fla. ranks second on the team in scoring averaging 15 ppg and is well on her way to break the 1,000 point mark in only three years as a Spartan. Last year's first-team all-SCC and second-team all-South Regional player has already racked in a career total of 950 points and looks to capture the milestone in the games to come.
Also producing consistent numbers for Tampa so far this season is senior Taja Green. With only two starters in the line-up returning this year, Green has made her commitment to take the new team under her wing. After putting in the work over the summer, the senior captain returns to Tampa in the best shape of her life.
Already, Green has scored in double-figures for UT in four out of the five games this year-good for the third highest on the squad averaging 10.4 ppg. A match up problem for defenders, the five-foot-eleven forward is deadly both in the paint and from behind the arc. Leading the team in field goal and free throw percentage last year, the senior brings crucial game experience to this year's crew.
Finally, the only four-year letterman on the roster that will revisit the floor this season is point guard Catriana Messina. Last season's spark off the bench played in every game helping the Spartans on the scoreboard in 28 contests. The Tampa, Fla. native has complied an impressive 79-20 overall career record at UT and looks to finish out her senior year along side of her twin sister, G. Messina.
Tampa will be a force to be reckoned with as they ride on a 21-game home win streak. UT dropped only one contest at the Martinez Center in the 2008-09 season and finished perfect on its own floor last year. Dating back to a victory over Rollins two terms ago, the Spartans have yet to fall on its home floor. The 21 straight marks a new program record for consecutive wins on the Tampa hardwood.
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