Box Score TAMPA, Fla. – The Eckerd College women's basketball team took home their second SSC sweep of the season defeating the University of Tampa Spartans, 75-65 on Wednesday night.
The Tritons (17-6, 7-5) and the Spartans (14-8, 7-5) met earlier in the year and EC walked away with the victory over the then No. 21 team in the nation.
Tampa got on the board and scored five early points on the Tritons.
Victoria Vine was quick to answer throwing up a deep three from the corner.
Trine Kasemagi then tied the game up on the next possession and converted the three point play to give EC their first lead of the night.
Going point for point, neither team was able to gain a powerful lead. Threes were raining in the Martinez Center as
Margaret Sundberg sent one in to tie the game up at 16-16. The Spartans retook the lead, but
Rana Thomas was quick to answer, sending EC on a 9-3 run.
A free throw from Kasemagi gave the Tritons their largest lead of the night with 3:33 remaining in the first half.
Jordyn Alexander sunk in her second trey of the year to send Eckerd into the locker room leading Tampa, 37-35.
The second half was neck and neck as the Spartans came out hot. EC was quick to shut down their offense and held them to a 40.4 shooting percentage from the field.
Tampa took the lead with a three pointer from reigning SSC Player of the Week, Juliana Cavallaro.
Kayla Bowlin started a rally for the Tritons sinking in a three sending her team on a tear, throwing up 10 unanswered points on the Spartans.
With the victory already in hand, Thomas tacked on four more points in the last minute to secure the 75-65 win.
Thomas led all scorers and finished the night with 22 while Grbic picked up her second double double of the year throwing up 14 points and pulling down 10 boards. Alexander and Bowlin finished in double digits as well grabbing 14 and 10 respectively.
"This was a hard fought win on the road against a very good team," said Head Coach,
Paul Honsinger. "Our seniors were special tonight, they played tough and poised and I was proud of how we took care of the ball.'
Honsinger went on to say, "We finished with a season low five turnovers to go with 17 assists and we are looking forward to Saturday's game at Rollins."
The road victory marks the team's 17
th win on the season, a mark that has only been matched twice in program history in 2008-09 and 2010-11. The Tritons will head to Rollins College on Saturday to take on the No. 14 Tars. Tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
