Box Score FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The No. 24/22 Eckerd men's basketball team spoiled Nova Southeastern's senior day, 60-56, to maintain its half game lead in the Sunshine State Conference standings as the Tritons have moved closer to capturing the top seed for the SSC and South Region tournaments.
Though the win did not come easily, the Tritons (21-5, 11-3 SSC) managed to come away with the victory due in large part to their effort on the glass. Eckerd outrebounded NSU, 40-26, which led to 13 second-chance points while blanking the Sharks in the category. The 16 offensive rebounds were pivotal as the Tritons struggled to score on their first looks, shooting 36.4 percent from the field.
The contest saw 15 lead changes and five ties throughout its duration, and neither team was able to hold onto a lead until under a minute to play. After
Obi Kyei powered his way to the rim to even the score at 54-54, the Sharks (10-15, 5-10 SSC) marched down the court and drew a foul against
Trevon Young in the paint. On the ensuing inbound play from underneath NSU's basket,
Drushaun McLaurn managed to get a hand on the Chris Page's pass allowing
E.J. Moody to secure the steal.
The Tritons took a timeout after advancing the ball across half court, and head coach
Tom Ryan drew up a play to give Eckerd the lead. The Sharks' defense nearly forced a shot clock violation, but
Jerrick Stevenson hit a turnaround jumper over a pair of NSU defenders from just inside the left wing with a second to spare to give EC a 56-54 lead with 54 seconds to play.
Kevin Walsh was called for a foul on the floor seconds later, but Harrison Goodrick was unable to convert on the front end of his one-and-one opportunity as Stevenson pulled down the rebound. The Tritons converted on four of their final six free throws. Defensively, EC avoided fouling as it surrendered just one uncontested layup by Chris Page the rest of the way.
Walsh led Eckerd in scoring for the third game in a row with 14 points behind four 3-pointers. McLaurn was the only other Triton in double figures with 10 points while also pulling down seven boards and setting a new career-best four steals. Kyei led the game with 11 rebounds. Walsh and Stevenson grabbed six rebounds while Page and Goodrick led the Sharks with five rebounds each. Page scored a game-high 24 points.
The Tritons will honor their six seniors on Wednesday as they host defending national champion Florida Southern on senior night inside the McArthur Center. The contest is scheduled for a 7:30 PM tipoff.
Eckerd currently holds a half-game lead over Barry and Rollins in the SSC standings. A victory over the Moccasins will guarantee the Tritons at least a share of the regular season championship, but EC will not be able to clinch the top seed for the conference tournament until Saturday in Miami Shores. The Buccaneers play provisional SSC member Embry-Riddle on Wednesday in Daytona Beach. After its 85-68 victory at Lynn tonight, Rollins remains in contention for a share of the regular season crown if it defeats Saint Leo and Eckerd loses either of its contests.
The second edition of the South Region rankings could look different than the first rankings that were posted earlier this week. The University of Alabama in Huntsville held the top spot as EC came in as the second ranked team and Barry third. However, UAH suffered a 92-84 loss at Union (Tenn.) on Saturday giving both the Tritons and the Buccaneers a chance to pass the Chargers for the first seed.
