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Titans edge hosts to win Shark Invitational title

TAMPA - Teyaqua Gunn had seven of her 14 points in the fourth quarter points to lead Tampa Bay Tech past host Riverview 56-49 Tuesday night in the final of the Shark Invitational Tournament.

Tampa Bay Tech went on a 14-0 run in the second quarter, led by Rebecca Barnes who made three 3-pointers within that stretch. Barnes finished with 15 points. Riverview kept the score close behind senior guard Ratisha Rumph, who had eight points in the second quarter and finished with 16.

"They are a great team," Tampa Bay Tech coach Heather Glezen said of Riverview "I told the girls after (Monday) night's win that this would be a real competitive game."

The Sharks had points from all of their starters including 15 by sophomore guard Renae Hewes, who hit three 3-pointers.

But Gunn's performance in the fourth proved to be enough to hand Riverview (8-1) its first loss of the season and give Tampa Bay Tech (11-1) the tournament championship.

"Teyaqua has stood out all tournament," Glezen said. "She does so many intangible things for us like rebounding and defense. She had a few layups at the end for us tonight which was key for the win."

- DAN GENOVESE

TAMPA - Ridgewood is in serious danger of becoming a squad with a label: a second-half team.

For the second straight night, the Rams overcame a slow and at times ugly first half with a torrid third quarter, this time en route to a 69-57 victory over Lake Gibson in the championship game of the Craig Keeler Memorial Christmas Tournament hosted by Academy of the Holy Names.

"We have eight seniors," Ridgewood coach Greg Bollinger said. "Hopefully (the strong finish) came from senior experience and senior leadership."

Neither team led by more than six in the first half. The lead changed hands twice and the score was tied four times during the sloppy, turnover-filled half, which ended tied at 27.

Ridgewood fell behind by four in the first few minutes after intermission. But it didn't take long for the Rams offense to roar to life. The team shot well in the third, outscoring Lake Gibson 25-16.

Leading the way for the Rams was point guard Crystal Ayers, who dropped in 10 of her game-high 23 points during the third-quarter run.

- ROB BRANNON