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UT Hopes To Break Through

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By NICK WILLIAMS

nwilliams@tampatrib.com

Published: March 13, 2009

Updated: 03/13/2009 12:22 am

Sometimes, getting there just isn't enough.

The University of Tampa women's basketball team has made six NCAA Division II Tournament appearances, including four under seventh-year coach Tom Jessee, but the Spartans have not advanced past the second round.

They are 1-6 all-time in the NCAAs.

Beginning today at 4 p.m., third-seeded Tampa will try to reverse its postseason misfortune as it makes its fourth consecutive tournament appearance. UT (25-5) plays No. 6 Clark University (23-4) in the South Regional quarterfinals at Delta State University in Cleveland, Miss.

"If we're going to represent our conference, we can't be one-and-done," Jessee said. "I like our draw more this year than in years past. The last three years, the No. 1 team in the country has been in this bracket."

Tampa captured its fourth Sunshine State Conference Tournament championship to receive an automatic bid. With a victory today, the Spartans would advance to Saturday's 7 p.m. semifinal against the winner of the game between second-seeded Fort Valley State (26-4) and No. 7 Ouachita Baptist (18-8). The South Regional final is Monday at 8 p.m.

Ranked No. 25 in the latest USA Today/ESPN Division II Top 25 Coaches' Poll, the Spartans are riding a 12-game win streak. With their SSC Tournament championship win against Rollins last week, they set a program record for wins in a season.

"We graduated five starters," Jessee said. "It's a tribute to this team's hard work."
Sophomore guard Gianna Messina, a former Academy of the Holy Names star who transferred to UT from the University of South Florida as a freshman, leads the Spartans with 13.7 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. Messina was named the SSC Tournament MVP and was selected first-team All-SSC.

"She can put a team on her back," Jessee said.

Former Gulf High standout Tiara Cook, a 6-foot junior forward and All-Conference honorable mention, is UT's second-leading scorer at 12.0 points per game.

Reporter Nick Williams can be reached at (813) 259-7851.

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