Box Score ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Battling the No. 1 team in the nation Wednesday night, the Eckerd College men's basketball team fell to Florida Southern, 86-65.
The Mocs were able to get on the board first, but
Kevin Walsh was quick to answer as he banked a ball off the board.
Shane Phillips followed a FSC layup with a drive of his own through the lane to bring EC within two.
Malcolm Brunner Jr. slammed a one handed dunk through the rim that erupted the McArthur Center. At the 13
th minute mark,
Matt Beneduci grabbed a basket of his own bringing EC within one.
Florida Southern showed their strength from downtown as they went on a 17-2 run that included four three point shots. Their run was brought to an end as
Kendall Roberts sunk in a three of his own, his second on the year.
E.J. Moody dropped in his own three pointer from professional range with 6:53 remaining on the game clock. Not even a minute later he was followed up by yet another three, this time from the hands of Beneduci.
The Tritons ended the first half trailing the Mocs, 43-33.
Florida Southern opened up the second half going on an 11-2 run. Roberts put an end to their run once again as he drove the lane for two. Walsh added a jumper of his own seconds later that had the Tritons within 15.
Jerrick Stevenson cut the lead to 12 dropping in a three pointer from the side of the arch with under 13 left on the clock. Treyvon Young was fouled hard going to the net and dropped in a bucket, bringing the Tritons within 10 but the lead would get no smaller.
Beneduci led the team in points with 13 while Stevenson tallied 11. Brunner Jr. was a monster under the basket pulling down 12 rebounds.
Eckerd (11-13, 4-10 SSC) will take on their second top 25 opponent of the week on Saturday. EC will face off with No. 4 Barry University (20-3, 11-2 SSC) with tip-off at 6 p.m.
