TAMPA, FL- The Cougars took on Tampa University on Wednesday evening in the first of two games in the Sunshine State this week. A slow start doomed the Cougars as they dropped the contest 58-35. 

After neither team scored the first few minutes of play, Jordon Heckert poured in the first points of the game with a jumper, followed by an Elise Grosdidier jumper. The defensive struggle continued as the Spartans managed to score the final 13 points of the quarter to go ahead 13-5. 

The second quarter was a tough one for CCU as the Spartans expanded their lead to 36-11 going into the halftime break. 

Hayley Luther gave her team a spark to begin the third, drilling consecutive three-pointers followed by a jumper for an 8-0 run. A Ja'Shelle Johnson jumper and layup by Samantha Wattawa continued the offensive momentum from the Cougars, and another Luther three sent the teams to the final quarter with CCU trailing 49-28. 

A Nicole Burns three-pointer started the fourth quarter well, and Wattawa had a three-point play to end the contest, but the Cougars ended up dropping the matchup 58-35. 

Luther scored in double digits with 10 points, while Wattawa pulled down a team high six rebounds. 

Colorado Christian will close their trip to Florida with a matchup at Florida Southern College on November 20 at 3:30 p.m. MST.