Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Freshman guard
Annie Armstrong netted a career-high 26 points and the Eckerd College women's basketball program stunned 10th-ranked University of Tampa on Wednesday evening in the McArthur Center, 63-53.
Armstrong was a sizzling 8-of-14 from the field, knocking down four three-point baskets and going 6-for-6 at the free throw line. She forced the issue on a number of drives, coming up with a pair of key three-point plays in the second half.
The Tritons (5-5, 2-1 SSC) knocked off another giant in the Sunshine State Conference schedule after toppling then-No. 13 Rollins College back in December.
EC now finds itself in a four-way tie at the top of the league standings after handing the Spartans (10-1, 1-1 SSC) their first loss of the season and interrupting a program-record 10-game win streak.
The Tritons also knocked off a pair of nationally-ranked opponents in a single season for what is believed to be the first time in school history.
“I was really happy with our defense and rebounding and that led the way for us tonight,” EC Head Coach
Paul Honsinger said. “Our offensive execution was improved as well and Annie had a big night for us. She's a great player.”
The Tritons crashed the glass relentlessly for a +17 margin in rebounds (39-22) and limited Tampa's explosive offense to just 33 percent shooting.
Junior forward
Liga Vente was one rebound shy of a double-double, scoring 16 points and hauling in nine boards. Senior
Krystal Charles contributed 10 to go with seven rebounds and four assists.
After Tampa scored the opening basket, the Tritons regained the lead and never looked back.
Armstrong's first triple at the 8:50 juncture in the first half gave EC a 17-11 cushion.
Vente provided the Tritons their largest lead of the opening frame at eight with a layup and scored the team's final four points heading into halftime.
Armstrong rained down three treys in the first half alone that helped preserve a 26-22 edge at the intermission.
An upset was brewing well into the second half after Charles connected from downtown to provide EC its first double-digit lead with 13:01 left to play.
Armstrong then erupted for six points in a 40-second span, hitting another three and converting a three-point play for a 16-point lead, the largest lead of the night, with 4:25 on the clock.
UT's Moriah Hodge scored 15 points, Shamika Williams added 11 and Juliana Cavallaro chipped in 10 to go with six steals.
The Tritons will look to continue their momentum on the road this weekend in Melbourne, taking on Florida Tech for a Saturday tussle at 2 p.m.
