Box Score Eckerd-Palm Beach Atlantic Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd College women's basketball team opened the 2010-11 season with a strong defensive effort in a 52-42 win over visiting Palm Beach Atlantic on Tuesday.
The Tritons held PBA (1-1) to 30 percent shooting and hit their final seven free throws to cinch the win.
Kati Rausberg had a game-high 14 points, and Jessica Collins scored 13 points off the bench. Taylor Young recorded 10 points, while Ashley Lutz had nine points and eight rebounds.
“We played hard enough to win,” said Eckerd head coach Paul Honsinger. “We didn't execute well enough to win, but we got the stops when we needed it and hit our free throws.”
The two teams showed a little early-season rust, combining for 46 turnovers. But the Tritons held PBA to 16 percent shooting in the first half to take a 23-15 lead at halftime.
Eckerd never trailed after the 10:50 mark of the first half.
Taylor Young gave the Tritons their biggest lead (44-33) on a 3-pointer with 3:09 left. But the Sailfish made things interesting with a 9-2 spurt, cutting the margin to 46-42 with 1:42 remaining.
The Tritons, though, outscored PBA 6-0 to close it out.
Hayley Fields led the Sailfish with 13 points, and Ashley Dolberry had a game-best 14 rebounds.
Eckerd will continue a four-game homestand at 2 p.m. on Saturday against Benedict.
