Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The McArthur Center was on its feet Wednesday night watching the Eckerd College women's basketball team pull off a 55-44 upset over No. 21 University of Tampa.
The offense got going early for the Tritons, but it was the defense that allowed them to take a big lead in the first half.
Kayla Bowlin gave EC an eight point lead after being fouled shooting a three pointer sinking all three foul shots.
Rana Thomas made it a 17 point game when she hit an open jumper to put her team up 21-4.
Eckerd's defense was phenomenal in the first half causing two shot clock violations. The Spartans were denied good possessions on offense which led to blocked shots and several turnovers. Tampa was held to shooting just 13.6 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes.
Trine Kasemagi gave EC their biggest lead of the game with a minute remaining on the clock until halftime.
Victoria Vine sent a beautiful pass down low to Kasemagi who laid in the basket off the glass to put her team up 32-7. The Tritons took a 22 point lead into the locker room, 32-10, looking to grab the upset.
UT held Eckerd scoreless for the first two and a half minutes of the second half trying to get back in the game. The Spartans began to slowly chip away at the Triton lead, down by 15 midway through the second half.
Aisha Rodney of Tampa hit a jumper to bring the score to 44-34 with 3:42 remaining in regulation. With a minute and a half on the clock, the Spartans got within nine. That would be as close as they would get with Bowlin and Thomas hitting their free throws to finish off the upset, 55-44.
Ivana Grbic had a stellar performance grabbing her first double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Thomas also ended with double digit points dropping 11. Eckerd as a team was 15 of 18 from the free throw line. The EC defense did not allow a three pointer in the contest.
The Tritons (10-3, 1-2) will hit the road on Saturday and head to Boca Raton and take on Lynn University (5-6, 0-3). Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
