Box Score
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Sophomore guard
Taylor Bestry netted a career-high 22 points on 7-of-11 shooting as the Eckerd College women's basketball team earned its first win of the season on Wednesday night against Northwood University, 77-35.
The Tritons (1-1, 0-0 SSC) dominated several statistical categories against the NAIA-affiliated Seahawks (1-1 overall) to bounce back from a season-opening defeat at Armstrong Atlantic State (Ga.) University.
EC doubled up the Seahawks on the glass, owning a +24 rebounding margin, and shot nearly 53 percent from the field in the game. The Tritons handled the ball with care, dishing out 22 assists against 16 turnovers, and were blistering from long range, connecting on 11-of-18 three-point attempts.
Thanks to a stingy defensive effort by Eckerd, the Seahawks struggled to just 22 percent shooting on the night.
The Australian product Bestry eclipsed her previous personal-best scoring total after recording 13 points as a freshman against Rollins College. Against Northwood, she scored 21 points in 25 minutes of court time and drilled four three-pointers.
“I thought we defended really well and rebounded really well,” EC Head Coach
Paul Honsinger said. “We executed well on offense, going inside-and-out, and spread the ball around to get a good distribution of scoring.”
“Everybody had minutes and contributed strongly in the second half while we extended our lead,” he added. “We played unselfishly and didn't give up many offensive rebounds against our opponent.”
The Tritons jumped out of the gates on a 22-7 run and held a 14-point edge at the break. The rout continued into the second half as EC led by as many as 46 with one minute left in regulation.
Junior
Liga Vente, freshman
Annie Armstrong and junior captain
Amy Buccilla, each scored nine points.
Senior
Krystal Charles and junior
Kristiana Stauere led the charge on the glass, corralling 11 and 10 boards, respectively. Stauere also handed out a team-best five assists and Charles managed to block a pair of shots.
Every active player on the roster contributed in the scoring column as sophomore
Rana Thomas cashed in on a pair of three-point shots and freshman
Kaitlin Jackson was 2-for-2 from the field and at the line to add six points in her collegiate debut.
Erin Riley led Northwood with 15 points but the rest of the Seahawks' starting lineup combined to go 4-of-29 from the field.
The Tritons will make their home court debut next Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. to open the Eckerd College Thanksgiving Classic. EC will face the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon before hosting North Georgia College & State University at 3 p.m. on Saturday to conclude the holiday festivities.
Live stats and video/audio will be streamed on EckerdTritons.com.
