Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd College men's basketball team took the floor in the McArthur Center for the first time this season on Tuesday night defeating Young Harris College, 85-72.
The first half was a back and forth battle between the two teams. With 14:30 remaining in the first half,
E.J. Moody knocked down a jumper to tie the game at 12-12.
Jerrick Stevenson followed Moody's basket up with a deep three to give EC a three point lead.
Malcolm Brunner Jr. was able to drive the lane for two points drawing the foul sending him to the line. Brunner drilled his free throw giving his team their largest lead of the first half up 23-17 with just over 10 minutes remaining on the clock.
With less than three minutes remaining until halftime,
Shane Phillips brought the crowd to their feet with a monstrous dunk breaking a 33-33 tie. The Mountain Lions battled back to take a two point lead with 22 seconds left. With one second remaining,
Kevin Walsh hit a deep three pointer to put the Tritons up by one, 41-40, heading into the locker room.
Darnell opened up the second half heading to the line and knocking down back-to-back free throws. YHC managed to tie up the game 45-45 with a layup before Moody knocked home a big three point shot on the following possession.
Matt Beneduci was able to shake the defense for two points with under nine minutes to play, giving the Tritons a 10 point lead. Good shooting and solid defense allowed EC to begin to pull away. Moody and Brunner both sunk three pointers down the stretching helping Eckerd come away with the 85-72 victory at home.
Moody and Stevenson both walked away with 17 points each. Brunner ended the game with 10 points and seven rebounds as Darnell shot 80 percent from the floor finishing with 10 points as well.
Eckerd (2-1) will play host to the University of Puerto Rico Bayamon on Friday and Minnesota State – Mankato (3-1) on Saturday in the Eckerd College Thanksgiving Classic. Both games are slated to begin at 7:30 p.m.
