ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Senior forward
Zaronn Cann scored 13 points with 10 rebounds to lead the Eckerd Tritons (7-6, 1-3 SSC) past the Tampa Spartans (8-5, 3-2 SSC), 75-66, in a physical game that saw 46 total fouls and 63 total free throws, on Wednesday evening at the McArthur Center.
A layup by Cann gave the Tritons a 26-17 lead with 6:19 to go in the first half before the Spartans would close the half on an 8-2 run, capped by a pair of free throws by Glyn Hunter with one second left, to send the game into the half with Eckerd leading 28-27.
In the second half, a three by
John Harper bulged the Tritons' lead to 35-29 with 17:02 to go but the Spartans would answer, again, with a 15-7 push, taking a 44-42 lead after a pair of free throws by Rashad Callaway with 13:09 to go.
Trailing for the first team, Eckerd would go on to out-score Tampa, 19-10, over the next 8:25 to take a 61-54 lead with 4:40 to play.
From that point forward, it was a battle of free throws as the Tritons would score their final 14 points at the charity stripe en route to the nine-point victory.
Tampa out-shot Eckerd 37.7 to 35.6 percent from the field but Eckerd held a decisive 43-33 rebounding advantage.
Chris Gray added 12 points and three assists while
Wayne Sears scored 10 points. Callaway led all scorers with 26 points and seven rebounds while Marcus Morrison added 12 points before fouling out.
Eckerd will return to the hardwood on Saturday, January 16 as it hosts Florida Tech at 4pm/
