ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd women's basketball team will face a familiar foe in the South Region semifinals on Saturday as the Tritons take on Rollins College for a chance to play in Monday's region championship.
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Top-seeded Eckerd had to hold off a late rally by Lee (Tenn.) University in Friday's first round before walking away with an 84-77 win over the Flames. The win was the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. SSC Player of the Year
Victoria Vine led the Tritons with 21 points while
Ashley Folsom added 14.
Rollins blew out SSC opponent Florida Southern, 71-47, behind 16 points from Julia Ingler and a strong defensive effort that limited the Mocs to 26.4 percent shooting. The Tars shot 47.5 percent from the floor and made 9-of-16 from 3-point range to win their 13th in their last 14 games.
REGULAR SEASON SERIES: The two teams split the regular season contests with each winning on the other's home floor. Eckerd blew out the Tars on December 3 in Winter Park, 77-48, before Rollins gained revenge on February 4 with a 69-54 win in St. Petersburg. Rollins is the only team to defeat EC in the McArthur Center this season.
REGIONAL REMATCH: Although this year is only the second for Eckerd to appear in the regional tournament, tonight will be the second time they've faced Rollins in the NCAA postseason. In Eckerd's first trip in 2015, the Tars defeated the Tritons, 63-61. The Tritons had final possession, but did not get a shot off in time.
