Mocs Roll Past Tampa To SSC Semifinals

Megan Dzikas connected on five three-pointers in the first half and that was more than enough to propel the top-seeded Moccasins to a 79-63 win over eighth-seeded Tampa Wednesday at Jenkins Field House in the first round of the Sunshine State Conference Tournament. 

The Moccasins (22-5) play fifth-seeded Nova Southeastern Saturday at 5 p.m. at Jenkins Field House in the first women's semifinal.  Nova Southeastern advanced with a 72-56 road win at fourth-seeded Eckerd.

Dzikas, who ranks second in FSC career three-pointers made, hit her first shot the game, missed her next two then sank her next four.  That helped the Moccasins pull away from a 10-10 tie with 12:32 left in the first half to a 33-16 advantage at the 4:50 mark. 

The 19th-ranked Moccasins led 41-23 at halftime and Tampa (11-16) never got closer than 13 points in the second half. 

Dzikas took just one shot in the second half and finished with 17 points.  Michaela Hawley led the Moccasins with 18 points and Morgan Lamberg tossed in 10.

Kamari Smith led Tampa with 19 points and 11 rebounds.

The win was the Moccasins' sixth straight, giving them their third six-game winning streak of the season. 

In the other two first-round games Wednesday, second-seeded Rollins downed seventh-seeded Lynn 63-47 and sixth-ranked Florida Tech upset third-seeded Barry 71-68.  Rollins and Florida Tech will play the second semifinal game at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.