BASKETBALL GAMEDAY: First-Place Tritons Play Host to Palm Beach Atlantic

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd basketball teams look to maintain their holds on the top spot in the SSC standings when they host Palm Beach Atlantic today in the McArthur Center.
 

Palm Beach Atlantic (8-15, 4-12 SSC) at #14/21 Eckerd (20-4, 13-2 SSC)
WHEN	Saturday, February 18 | 2:00 PM
WHERE	McArthur Center
WATCH	Live Video | Live Stats
SOCIAL MEDIA	Twitter (@ECTritons) | Instagram (@EckerdTritons)
LAST MEETING	Eckerd 71, PBA 53 (1/4/17)

ABOUT THE SAILFISH: Palm Beach Atlantic has experienced some struggles this season as the transition to full SSC membership continues.  The team only has two wins in 2017 and is coming off a 19-point loss to Saint Leo.  Still, the Sailfish have some dangerous weapons.  Ayanna Holmes is a force inside, averaging 14.7 points and 8.9 rebounds per game while Hannah Grim leads the team in scoring with 14.9 points per contest.

LAST TIME THEY MET: Eckerd jumped out to a 22-5 lead at the end of the first quarter in West Palm Beach on January 4 and cruised to a 71-53 win over the Sailfish.  Kacie Juday and Victoria Vine both scored 19 points in the win as EC shot 49 percent from the floor.  Holmes had a big game for PBA in defeat with 23 points and 18 rebounds.

REGIONAL LEADERS: The first official regional rankings were released on Wednesday, and the Tritons found themselves as the No. 1 team in the NCAA South Region.  Eckerd's 20-4 record against Division II competition is best in the region and placed the team just ahead of Gulf South Conference leader West Florida.  Four of the top five teams in the rankings came from the SSC.
 

Palm Beach Atlantic (12-11, 8-8 SSC) at Eckerd (18-6, 11-4 SSC)
WHEN	Saturday, February 18 | 4:00 PM
WHERE	McArthur Center
WATCH	Live Video | Live Stats
SOCIAL MEDIA	Twitter (@ECTritons) | Instagram (@EckerdTritons)
LAST MEETING	Eckerd 83, PBA 74 (1/4/17)

ABOUT THE SAILFISH: Palm Beach Atlantic comes into today's contest seeming to be hitting its stride at the right time.  The Sailfish have won four of their last six games including a 76-75 upset of No. 10 Barry on February 8.  They are also coming off a very long home stand with eight straight home contests, perhaps aiding their recent hot streak.  PBA boasts a balanced offense with four active players averaging in double figures.  Bakari Warthen leads the way with 13.8 points per game while Grant Gullett (12.2), Dakota Zinser (10.5) and Malek Barber (10.0) also give the team scoring options.

LAST TIME THEY MET:
The Tritons built a 28-point lead in the second half but had to hold off a furious comeback attempt by the Sailfish to pull out an 83-74 win on the road on January 4. Drushaun McLaurn scored a career-high 30 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead the way while Kevin Walsh added 20.

BACK ON TOP: After three straight losses for Barry, the Tritons have moved into first place in the conference standings leading the Bucs by a game.  If Barry wins its final conference contest, Eckerd will need to win out in order to claim its second straight regular season SSC title.

MILESTONE ACHIEVEMENTS: Walsh broke an 11-year-old Eckerd program record on Saturday when his 3-pointer from the top of the key at Nova Southeastern gave him 221 for his career.  Walsh broke the previous program record for career 3-pointers of 220, held by Steve Berg (2002-06).

Today, EC head coach Tom Ryan will attempt to reach a milestone.  He enters the day with 399 career wins and looks to join Jim Harley in the 400-win club if the Tritons defeat PBA.