Barry Edges Tritons in NCAA South Region Opener

Box Score HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - The third time was, unfortunately, not the charm for the Eckerd men's basketball team as the Tritons fell to Barry University, 91-87, in the first round of the NCAA South Region Tournament.

The loss brought an end to the season for Eckerd (21-9), which advanced to the region tournament for the second straight year.

"After everything we lost from last year, not many people thought we would be back this year," said EC head coach Tom Ryan.  "Our seniors deserve a lot of credit for that.  They were a big part of getting us back."

The Tritons hoped to get past Barry when it counted most after the Bucs won both regular season contests in Sunshine State Conference play.  Eckerd fell behind by double digits twice in the second half, only to fight back and get within a possession.

But EC couldn't quite get over the hump as Barry (23-6) twice extended its possessions late in the game to keep the Tritons from getting a chance to tie or take the lead.

"We couldn't slow them down," Ryan said.  "We couldn't get over the hump.  We'd get it close but could never take the lead.  Everyone played hard; we just had some breakdowns defensively and Barry always capitalizes on that."

After a layup by Drushaun McLaurn got Eckerd within two points with 2:15 left, Elvar Fridriksson missed a shot in the lane but Daniel Mortensen grabbed the rebound.  Seconds later, Mortensen knocked down a key 3-pointer to put Barry back up by five.

Another McLaurn basket cut the deficit to one with 16 seconds left.  Eckerd fouled Fridriksson with 10 seconds remaining and after making the first free throw, Fridriksson missed the second.  However, the Bucs' Evan Walshe came up with the rebound to keep the ball out of EC's hands.

The Tritons had one last glimmer of hope, down by three with three seconds left and Matt Beneduci at the foul line.  Beneduci made the first and intentionally missed the second to give Eckerd a chance at an offensive rebound and putback.  Fridriksson, though, ended up with the ball effectively sealing the game for the Bucs.

EC held its last lead at the 13:14 mark after a McLaurn free throw before Barry went on a 13-1 run to take a 69-58 lead with 8:13 left.  The Tritons trailed again by 11 with under four minutes to play before pulling back within two points.

McLaurn tied his career high with 30 points while Walsh capped his Eckerd career with 21 points and six 3-pointers to bring his record-setting single season 3-pointer total to 102.  Obi Kyei narrowly missed a double-double in his final game, scoring nine points and grabbing 10 rebounds.  Beneduci and Shane Phillips also played their last games in an Eckerd uniform.

Barry advances to play top-seeded Alabama-Huntsville on Sunday.