A fourth-quarter scoring drought of more than 5 minutes cost Tampa Bay Tech a chance to play in the region final.
The Titans committed 27 total fouls - 11 in the final quarter - and watched a six-point lead evaporate in a 47-42 Class 5A-Region 2 semifinal loss against Ocala West Port on Tuesday.
"I definitely thought we were the better team coming in," Tampa Bay Tech coach Reggie Lawrence said. "They just outplayed us. They outhustled us and took advantage of the opportunities they got. We didn't take advantage of our opportunities."
West Port (23-6), in its first year as a Class 5A school, advanced to the region final for the fourth time in six years, led by Veronica Ryan's 16 points.
Tampa Bay Tech (23-4) entered the fourth quarter holding a 36-30 lead but surrendered two Thomia Wadley 3-pointers in the first 2 minutes. With their offense struggling to reach halfcourt against near-constant pressure, the lead vanished quickly.
"We're used to pressure," Lawrence said. "Pressure doesn't bother us. A lot of mental lapses happened out there tonight and we just weren't on our game."
Tampa Bay Tech's only basket in the final 5 minutes, 20 seconds, was a Dasha Christopher layup with 18 seconds left.
Jasmine Rodriguez led Tech with 13 points and 15 rebounds.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement
Advertisement