Women's Basketball | 1/12/2002 4:06:00 PM

Box Score TAMPA, Fla. -- The Barry University women's basketball team recovered gracefully from an earlier conference loss this week downing Sunshine State Conference rival Tampa 73-65 in the Martinez Center Saturday afternoon.

The Buccaneers got off to a slow start, but bounced back to claim the lead 12-9 at the 13:06 mark in the first half. The Bucs led by as much as 11 points during the first half, but settled for a 37-34 lead at the half after a late Spartan rally.

After regaining the lead in the first half, the Bucs never let the Spartans back in the game and went on to win their first conference game of the season 73-65.

Forward Jaida Williams paced the Buccaneer winning charge with a career-high 31 points and 11 rebounds, scoring 19 points in the first half of play. Smokey Nesbit and Carolina Santamarina both added 10 points apiece, while Amra Alagic also snagged 11 boards.

The Spartans were paced by Yushunda Morse with a team-high 18 points while teammate Nicole Blair chipped in 12.

The Buccaneers improve to 7-7 overall and 1-1 in the SSC while the Spartans fall to 9-5 overall and 0-2 in the conference.

The Buccaneers return to action on Wednesday, January 16 hosting SSC rival Rollins College at 7:30 p.m.