Sports: Spartans shorts

Spartans shorts

By ROD GIPSON

TAMPA -- The University of Tampa women's basketball team improved to 5-2 after an 88-71 win against Newport News on Dec. 1. The win was another step toward overcoming its sluggish 1-2 start to the season. The Spartans have pulled off four wins in a row and have received balanced, consistent play during that stretch.

Sophomore forward Yushonda Morse led UT against Newport News with 20 points and five steals. Junior center Jessie McDowell chipped in 12 points, 9 rebounds and 6 blocked shots. Senior guard Nichole Blair and freshman guard Juanita McClinton combined for 32 points.

With two games remaining before their holiday break, the Spartans continue to have five players averaging in double figures. The leading scorer in five of the seven games this season, Morse, is UT's top contributor with 16.3 points per game. McDowell and Blair are averaging 11.7 points per game, followed by McClinton's 11.4 and junior guard Exzavia Cunningham's 11.2.

The Spartans host Puerto Rico-Bayaman today at 3 p.m. at the Martinez Sports Center and embark on their last non-conference road trip when they play at Benedict College (S.C.) on Sunday.

MEN'S BASKETBALL: The Spartans, who have been off since an 89-66 win against Puerto Rico-Mayaguez on Nov. 25, tip off a busy holiday schedule Dec. 18 with a home game against Point Park College (Pa.). UT, 5-0 and ranked third nationally in Division II, then hosts Queens College (N.C.) before traveling to the Quincy College Tournament in Illinois on Dec. 28 and 29. The Spartans return home to face Molloy and Monmouth colleges Dec. 31 and Jan. 2 before opening their Sunshine State Conference slate Jan. 9 against Rollins.

Junior forward James Mereus is leading UT with 13.2 points per game. Sylvere Bryan is averaging 11 points and eight rebounds from his center spot, and guard Jon Brown and forward Gecarri Freeman are averaging 10 points per game.

UT is averaging 84 points a game, 27 more than its opponents this season.