Box Score LAKELAND, Fla. - The Eckerd College women's basketball team has their first three game SSC winning streak since 2012-13 after taking down Florida Southern Wednesday night, 69-58.
The Triton offense scored fast and often in the first half. Florida Southern opened the game with the first bucket.
Kayla Bowlin took the first Eckerd possession and drained a three with an assist from
Ivana Grbic to give them a 3-2 lead and the team never looked back.
Rana Thomas was a scoring machine in the first 20 minutes. The senior guard put in six points on three consecutive trips down the court to put EC up 11-4 in the first five minutes of play. Thomas knocked down a three from the corner pocket in which
Trine Kasemagi followed up with an up and under layup to give Eckerd a 10 point lead.
Florida Southern would not be put away as they proceeded to go on an 8-0 run bringing the Mocs within three. A jumper by Kasemagi and a WNBA range three pointer from
Margaret Sundberg put the Tritons back up by seven. On the next possession Bowlin was fouled attempting a three sending her to the line. The point guard sunk all three free throws putting EC up 35-25.
Eckerd finished the final five minutes of the first half on a 14-4 run to create separation heading into the locker room up 41-29. As a team, EC shot 58 percent from the floor while Thomas was responsible for 14 points.
Kasemagi, who would have an explosive second half, scored the first four points for the Tritons coming out of the locker room. Eckerd continued to extend their lead when
Jordyn Alexander pulled down and offensive rebound and dished it to Thomas for a trey.
The Mocs then began a comeback going on a 7-0 run holding EC scoreless for over five minutes. Once up by 18, the Tritons lead was cut to six, 61-55, and four minutes left in regulation. With Grbic at the free throw line the ball hits off the rim and is pulled down by Kasemagi who is hacked putting it back up. The freshman drills both of her free throws to regain an eight point lead.
The defense stepped up in the final minutes causing a shot clock violation for the Mocs which resulted in two points for Grbic. The Tritons held onto the lead in the final minute coming away with the 69-58 victory.
"Our defense was very strong holding Florida Southern under 60 points was a difference in the game, said Head Coach,
Paul Honsinger. "Trine did a great job, possibly her best game of the year on both ends of the court. She held her ground defensively and gave us 14 points. I feel like we are playing with a lot of confidence and we are looking forward to Saturdays game."
Thomas finished with 18 points, four assist and added three steals. Kasemagi and Vine both finished in double digits with 14 and 12 points respectively. Grbic totaled nine rebounds and eight points while Bowlin handed out five assists and dropped eight points herself.
Eckerd (12-3, 3-2) will be back inside the friendly confines of the McArthur Center on Saturday to take on No. 10 Rollins College (12-1, 4-0). Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Â
