Box Score ST. LEO, Fla. – After trailing by 15 in the second half, the Eckerd College men's basketball team fell short in their attempt at a comeback on Wednesday night falling to Saint Leo University, 69-64.
Defense was the name of the game from the jump. The Tritons had a blocked shot, caused a shot clock violation and a turnover in Saint Leo's first possessions of the game.
E.J. Moody created a steal which led to a three from
Kevin Walsh putting EC up 8-2.
The Lions tied the game up at 11-11 and it would be a back and forth battle for the remainder of the first half.
Jerrick Stevenson knocked down a three with an assist from
Ray Darnell to go up 17-13 with nine minutes remaining in the half. Saint Leo took their first lead of the game with a three from Ron Foxx going up 18-17.
Knotted up at 23-23 and 1:40 left on the clock,
Malcolm Brunner Jr. threw down a massive dunk to put his team up by two. On EC's next possession Walsh hit his second three pointer of the half with just over a minute remaining. Saint Leo managed five points in the final minute including a buzzer beating jumper to tie it up 28-28 just before halftime.
The Lions created separation going on a 15-2 run to open up the second half. The Tritons spent the rest of the game trying to get their way back in it. Saint Leo held a 15 point lead up 54-39 with 10 minutes remaining in the game.
Walsh went 2 for 2 from the free throw line and knocked down a three on the team's next possession to make it an eight point game with a little over two minutes left. A tip-in by Brunner Jr. brought EC within six with less than a minute on the clock. The Tritons fell just short in their comeback effort falling, 69-64.
Knocking down four threes in the game, Walsh was the leading scorer for the Tritons with 16 points. Brunner Jr. totaled 14 points while pulling down seven rebounds. Stevenson also finished in double digits with 11 points.
Eckerd (9-7, 3-4) will host No. 4 Barry University (14-1, 6-0) on Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
