Late Surge Falls Short as Sharks End Tritons' Winning Streak

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - A late rally came up short as the No. 22 Eckerd men's basketball saw its nine-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday, plagued by turnovers in falling to an upstart Nova Southeastern squad, 86-82.

After trailing by as many as 11 in the second half, the Tritons pulled within a point with under two minutes to play but a clutch 3-pointer by NSU's Nick Smith proved to be a dagger that helped clinch the win for the Sharks.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Nova Southeastern 86, Eckerd 82
Records: Eckerd 12-2 (5-2 SSC), Nova Southeastern 10-2 (4-2 SSC)
All-Time Series: Eckerd leads, 43-15

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Sharks took the lead early, although it was never by a large margin.  After trailing for over eight minutes, Eckerd moved in front on a 3-pointer by Marco Behori as part of a 9-0 run that put EC ahead, 22-17, with 8:33 to go in the first half.
• NSU, however, answered the bell with a 20-4 run over the next seven minutes, building a 37-26 lead with 1:35 left in the half.  The Tritons got a layup from Trevon Young and a 3-pointer from Blake Morrow in the final minute to cut the deficit to six (37-31) at halftime.
• A 3-pointer by Keshawn Ingram and another basket by Young further trimmed the deficit to one point as the second half began.  But, in a precursor of what would come later, NSU's Nick Smith canned a 3-pointer on his team's next possession to keep Eckerd from taking the lead.
• The Tritons stayed close for the remainder of the game but were not able to tie the contest or take the lead.  After NSU pulled ahead by 11 with 6:56 left, Eckerd used a 7-0 run to get back within a point (80-79) at the 2:07 mark.  One possession later, EC had a chance to tie but missed one of two free throws to keep it a one-point game.  Smith then knocked down another clutch 3-pointer with 1:15 left, and the Tritons failed to score on their next two possessions.
• Young was fouled on a basket in the lane with nine seconds left, making the score 86-82, but missed the free throw as EC's comeback attempted finished just short.

NOTES AND NUMBERS

• NSU's win tonight was its first over Eckerd since February 4, 2015.
• The Tritons were out-rebounded for only the second time this season, 41-37.  Eckerd has lost both games in which opponents pulled in more rebounds.
• Eckerd turned the ball over a season-high 19 times, leading to 23 points for NSU.
• Young recorded his fourth straight double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds.  He now has seven on the season.

QUOTABLE
"They [NSU] were putting their nose down and getting after it.  They won the loose ball battles and that was a big part of the outcome.  We buckled down and put ourselves in a position to come back.  Both teams worked hard, but they outworked us for most of the night." - EC head coach Tom Ryan

UP NEXT
Eckerd returns to the McArthur Center on Saturday to host Embry-Riddle at 4:00 PM.