Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd women's basketball team has consistently jumped out to early leads against its opponents this season. Tonight, the Tritons did things a bit differently.
Though trailing for much of the game, the No. 12 Tritons (13-2, 7-0 SSC) battled back from a 10-point deficit to defeat the University of Tampa, 59-51, Wednesday night in the McArthur Center.
The first five minutes proved to be an even battle with the visiting Spartans but by the end of the first quarter, Tampa held a six-point lead. Typically a hot-starting squad, the Tritons struggled to penetrate the Spartan zone early in the game.
The Tritons saw their largest deficit (10) in a game since November 19 against Embry-Riddle. Eckerd narrowed the lead just before halftime with a jumper from beyond the arc and a pair of free throws from Victoria Vine, but trailed 30-25 at the break - also the first time EC was behind at halftime since the visit to Embry-Riddle in November.
In need of a fiery offensive second half, the Tritons relied on their strong defensive presence to keep them within reach of Tampa. Eckerd remained patient on both ends of the court until there were five minutes to play in the fourth quarter. That's when they went for the kill.
"When the shots started falling in the fourth quarter we were able to pull away," EC head coach Paul Honsinger said. "We stressed a better defensive effort in the second half and I thought the team responded great."
Momentum shifted in favor of the Tritons after Vine drained her fourth three-pointer of the game. Ashley Folsom and Kacie Juday followed suit with a jumper and layup respectively, narrowing the gap to one point.
Folsom then added a layup to the board, giving Eckerd its first lead of the game. Then, within a matter of 42 seconds, Vine drained back-to-back 3-pointers to help secure Eckerd's 11th straight win.
"Vicky was tremendous," said Honsinger. "She hit big shots in both halves and really lifted us. Ashley also made the most of her advantage inside and we needed it."
Vine earned a career-best of 28 points while also tying the school's record for most 3-pointers made in a single game (7). Folson added 18 points as she and Vine combined to go 17-of-28 from the floor. Defensively, Eckerd held UT's Elena de Alfredo, the leading scorer in the SSC, to just 11 points on 3-of-12 shooting.
The Tritons face Florida Southern College on the road in another important conference matchup. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM in Lakeland, Fla.
