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.
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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. Â The win was the first NCAA Tournament victory in program history. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â 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. Â In Eckerd's first trip in 2015, the Tars defeated the Tritons, 63-61. Â The Tritons had final possession, but did not get a shot off in time.