Streak Reaches Six as Tritons Hold Off Rollins

Box Score WINTER PARK, Fla. - Already in this young season, the Eckerd men's basketball team has its fair share of experience in games that are decided in the final minutes.

That experience came in handy on Saturday as the Tritons made plays down the stretch to pick up a key road win over Rollins College, 82-73, to extend their winning streak to six.

Eckerd head coach Tom Ryan has been pushing his team to stay patient against zone defenses, which is exactly what they did in the second half of today's contest.  Ryan's advice paid off nicely.

"We learned a lot in today's game," he said.  "We were more poised and patient in the second half moving the ball around and getting some good opportunities."

One of those good opportunities came at a crucial moment late in the game after the Tars (5-3, 1-2 SSC) closed the EC lead to two points on a Jeff Merton 3-pointer with 2:38 left.

The Tritons methodically worked the ball against the Rollins zone until Drushaun McLaurn found Kevin Walsh open in the right corner.  The senior sharpshooter drained his fifth 3-pointer of the game to put Eckerd back ahead by five.

"[Kevin] is a very good shooter and believes he can make shots," said Ryan.  "Our job is to get our guys the ball in a position where they can succeed.  Good teams take advantage of what their players can do."

Walsh's shot started a quick run of seven straight points that also included a tip-in by Trevon Young and a steal by Shane Phillips that led to two free throws.  The second Phillips free throw extended the lead to nine with 53 seconds left, and the Tars never threatened afterward.

Eckerd (7-2, 2-1 SSC) led for the majority of the game, but never comfortably until the final minute.  McLaurn's transition layup after a Phillips steal with 16:25 left in the game put the Tritons ahead for good, and the lead grew to nine points with 6:15 left before an 11-4 Rollins run capped by Merton's 3-pointer brought the Tars within two.

But playing with a calm poise, Eckerd scored on its next two possessions while getting stops on the other end and then made 8-of-8 from the free-throw line in the final minute to seal the victory.

Ryan was pleased with the win, particularly since Rollins shot 54.2 percent from the floor.

"That was a really good win on the road against a team that can shoot it," he said.  "We still have to continue to get better defensively."

The Tritons nearly matched Rollins on the offensive end, shooting 52 percent from the floor, and did their job at the free throw line by making 23-of-30 attempts.

Five players scored in a double-figures, led by Walsh with 17.  Young added 15 while going 7-of-10 from the floor; McLaurn and Blake Morrow each had 13 while Obi Kyei netted 12.

Eckerd returns to the floor next Saturday, December 10, hosting Saint Leo at 4:00 PM.