Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Freshman guard
Kayla Bowlin scored a career-high 17 points in a reserve role to lead six players in double-figures as the Eckerd College women's basketball program won its fourth straight, defeating Northwood (Fla.) University on Wednesday, 86-41.
Taylor Bestry and
Amy Buccilla each tallied a dozen apiece while
Kati Rausberg,
Taylor Young and
Katja Kotnik, each contributed 11 in the balanced offensive attack.
The Tritons (5-1, 1-0 SSC) outscored the undermanned Seahawks (2-5, 0-0 TSC) in the second half, 52-30, and held a dominant edge on the glass, outrebounding NU, 51-22 (just a 19-14 advantage in the first half).
Eckerd sank 18-of-22 free-throw tries in the game and drilled eight threes.
“We wanted to come in and pressure them and extend out our defense,” EC Head Coach
Paul Honsinger said. “I thought we played very unselfish and the balanced stats are an indication of that. A 5-1 record is a good start to the year, but we're really looking to get to 2-0 on Saturday (against Nova Southeastern University) in conference play.”
Northwood came into tonight's game without the service of three starters, including leading scorer Keishla Rivera (13.4 ppg). The already-thin Seahawks roster grew was depleted further after Erin Riley picked up her fifth foul in the second half and head coach Mark Sanford was tossed for a pair of technical fouls.
Rausberg, the reigning Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week, picked up three quick fouls inside the first three minutes of the game, but made an immediate impact in the second half by connecting on six consecutive free throws after the flurry of technicals.
Bestry, who also netted a new career-high point total, drove baseline for a layup and stepped back to hit a long three from the left wing for five quick points on back-to-back possessions as the Tritons led 30-16 shortly before halftime.
Bowlin and Young hounded their counterparts in the backcourt, forcing numerous turnovers with relentless on-the-ball pressure. Their heady play on the fast break, whether pulling up for the jumper or finding an open teammate, helped the Tritons shoot just under 45 percent on the night.
Young pickpocketed Diana Castro for a steal and made a layup plus the foul shot as Eckerd led 25-16 at the 5:33 juncture in the first half.
“Kayla and Taylor were our defensive catalysts against Florida Tech and again tonight,” Honsinger said. “Their tenacity led to a number of run-outs in transition that translated into high-percentage shots.”
Another steal and quick bucket from Young had the Tritons up 13 early in the second half and Bowlin stretched the lead to 21 after a layup. Bowlin then drilled a three as the lead swelled to 28 and cashed in on the team's final trifecta for the final 45-point margin in the closing moments.
Bowlin scored 13 of her 17 in the second half and Kotnik netted all of her 11 points in the final period.
The Tritons transition back into SSC action on Saturday, hosting Nova Southeastern for a 2 p.m. matchup.
