Tritons Shake Off Slow Start, Breeze Past Emmanuel for Eighth Straight Win

LAKELAND, Fla. - The Triton men's basketball team weathered a slow start by getting to the free throw line, then found its offensive form in the second half on the way to a 104-70 win over Emmanuel (Ga.) on Tuesday at the Mocs Christmas Classic for the team's eighth victory in a row.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 104, Emmanuel 70
Records: Eckerd 11-1, Emmanuel 7-6
All-Time Series: Eckerd leads, 2-0

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Tritons had issues with making shots early in the game, making just five of their first 20 shots.  However, Eckerd was still able to generate points by attacking the basket and getting to the free throw line allowing the team to stay within striking distance despite the early shooting woes.  Emmanuel built a nine-point lead midway through the first half and still led by eight (30-22) with 8:02 left.
• Things began to change late in the first half as Eckerd locked down defensively and continued to get to the line while also heating up from the floor.  The Tritons made five of their last nine shots in the half and went 8-for-10 from the line in the final eight minutes while outscoring the Lions, 19-5, over the span to take a 43-35 lead into halftime.
• Eckerd wasted little time in extending its lead as the second half began.  After Emmanuel's Colton Collins made a 3-pointer on the first possession of the half, the Tritons rolled off 10 unanswered points to take a 15-point lead.  The Lions pulled within 12 points but were unable to further trim the deficit.  Eckerd's lead fluctuated between 12 and 16 points for the next few minutes until a 16-3 run gave EC a 92-63 lead with 4:05 to play. The Tritons kept shooting the ball effectively for the rest of the contest on the way to a 34-point win.

NOTES AND NUMBERS

• Eckerd outscored Emmanuel, 82-40, over the last 32 minutes of the game.  After making just six of their first 23 shots, the Tritons knocked down 28 of their next 45 attempts.
• Trevon Young led a group of five scorers in double-figures, tying his career-high with 27 points.  He also grabbed 13 rebounds for his second straight double-double and fifth of the season.  Drushaun McLaurn and Blake Morrow both added 20 points each.
• Eckerd scored 61 points in the second half, the second-highest output of the season in a half.  The team's most came against Pittsburg State (Kan.) on November 25 with a 76-point outburst in the second half.
• Tonight's win was Eckerd's eighth in a row.  The Tritons have put together double-digit winning streaks in each of the last two years.

QUOTABLE
"We weren't just settling for jump shots and got to the foul line a lot in the first half.  We did a good job of getting on the boards and creating baskets in transition." - EC head coach Tom Ryan

UP NEXT
The Tritons break for the holidays before resuming conference play on December 30 hosting Rollins at 4:00 PM.