Box Score TAMPA, Fla. - The Eckerd men's basketball team finished 2016 on a high note at the Tampa Classic.
A strong second half performance fueled the Tritons (10-2)Â in an 84-63 victory over Lane (Tenn.) College Monday afternoon. The win extended Eckerd's unbeaten streak to nine games before the new year and return to conference play.
Lane (4-7) was prepared for Eckerd's strength around the perimeter and shut down long-range shooting in the first half limiting the Tritons to just 1-of-4 shooting from behind the arc. Â EC compensated by working the ball inside and getting to the foul line, shooting 46.2 percent from the floor to carry a 31-26 lead into halftime.
Both teams stepped up their offensive efforts in the second half with Obi Kyei and Drushaun McLaurn leading the way for Eckerd.
A big blocked shot by Trevon Young just three minutes into the second half jump-started an 8-0 run by the Tritons. Kevin Walsh put up the layup following a fast break attack off Young's block and followed up with his 178th career 3-pointer on EC's next possession as he inches his way closer to Eckerd's all-time record for career three-pointers at 220.
With just over 10 minutes to play, the Tritons began to create some cushion and maintained a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game.  A 3-pointer by Travis Bianco and dunk by Kyei capped a 15-5 run that pushed the Triton lead to 63-44 at the 6:17 mark of the second half.  Eckerd led by as many as 25 points late in the contest.
Kyei nearly tied his career high, posting 18 points and tallying four assists on the day. McLaurn also finished in double digits with 17 total points and grabbing eight rebounds. Young added 10 points while 12 different Tritons contributed in the scoring column. Â Eckerd also made the most of its limited opportunities from 3-point range, knocking down 7-of-11 including 6-of-7 in the second half.
The Tritons return to action in 2017 on January 4Â against Sunshine State Conference opponent Palm Beach Atlantic University on the road.
