Box Score
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Eckerd College women's basketball program permitted Palm Beach Atlantic University to shoot just 25 percent from the field, cruising to a regular-season sweep on Saturday in the McArthur Center, 73-46.
Eckerd wore pink uniforms in the program's annual support of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association's Pink Zone initiative with proceeds going to benefit the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.
The McArthur Center featured pink decor and fans wore the appropriate color to join the cause in the fight against breast cancer.
EC sophomore
Rana Thomas scored all 15 of her points in an explosive first half and sophomore
Taylor Bestry turned in an impressive all-around effort with 14 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
Freshman
Annie Armstrong made five of her six attempts from the floor to finish in double-figures with 11.
The Tritons (13-10, 8-6 SSC) came into the game currently ranked No. 10 in the NCAA South Region rankings and commanded control early on, racing out of the gates with a 21-5 against the Sailfish (5-19 overall).
With only two regular-season contests left on the schedule, EC continued to gather momentum down the stretch after taking down the University of Tampa, Barry University and Florida Southern College, in succession.
Thanks to a Florida Tech loss against Florida Southern this afternoon, the Tritons are now tied for third in the Sunshine State Conference standings.
Across the board versus PBA, the Tritons' percentages from the field (52.4 percent), from deep (58.3 percent) and at the charity stripe (88 percent) were more than efficient.
After limiting Florida Southern to start just 1-of-20 from the field on Wednesday, the Tritons stifled the Sailfish into opening just 3-of-26 shooting from the field, around an 11 percent clip, in the first half.
Thomas was 4-of-6 on field goals and she made all six of her free throw tries in the first half to go with four rebounds and three blocked shots. The Tritons operated their offense at will, executing backdoor cuts and kicking out to open shooters on the wing that contributed to the early lead.
Thomas' layup and a free throw line trip inside the final minute before halftime gave the Tritons their largest lead of the first half.
The Tritons didn't let up to begin the final period, coming out on a 10-3 run to extend the lead over 30 for the first time.
Thomas and junior
Kristiana Stauere each finished with three blocked shots.
Ashley Dolberry netted 22 of her team's 46 points to lead the Sailfish.
The Tritons will travel to Saint Leo University on Wednesday evening with their sights on evening the regular-season series against the Lions in the Bowman Center. Tip-off in Saint Leo is set for 5:30 p.m.
