DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- The Eckerd women's basketball team led from wire-to-wire as the Tritons opened the season handling West Alabama, 78-63, at the ICI Center on Saturday afternoon.
The Tritons sunk 10 3-pointers while
Chelsea Johnson netted a career-high 23 points in the victory.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 78, West Alabama 63
Records: Eckerd 1-0, West Alabama 0-1
KEY MOMENTS
- Eckerd used an 8-0 run to start the game including two early jumpers from Johnson. Johnson continued her hot hand with back-to-back 3-pointers before Octavia Loll grabbed a steal and converted on the ensuing layup to put the Tritons up by 13 after the first five minutes. The Tritons built upon the lead closing out the quarter with a 15-point margin after a Zoe Richards jumper.
- EC maintained command of the game in the second quarter using an early 9-1 run to build its largest lead of the afternoon of 22 points after a Johnson free throw. The Tigers hit back-to-back jumpers to end the half and trim the Tritons lead to 17 (44-27).
- Both teams got off to a bit of a slow start in the second half as the Tritons didn't net their first basket until over three minutes in. From there, Eckerd went on a 10-3 run with Johnson accounting for half of Eckerd's points in the run. Brooke Juday knocked down a late 3-pointer as the Tritons headed into the final period up 62-43.
- West Alabama used back-to-back 3-pointers to open the fourth quarter and cut the Eckerd lead to 13; however, the Tritons maintained a double-digit lead through the remainder of the quarter, stretching to as many as 18 before winning, 78-63.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Johnson led all scored with 23 points while going 4-for-9 from behind the arc. Her four triples are her most 3's made since also making four last year against Johnson C. Smith.
- Juday and Richards also scored in double figures contributing 10 points apiece.
- Armi Anttila led Eckerd on the boards with five rebounds.
- Loll had a solid performance in her Eckerd debut with nine points and four steals while adding two assists.
QUOTABLE
"We had a great start to the game getting up by 15 early. We executed well, hit open shots, and played very unselfishly. There is still plenty to work on as a team, but I'm happy with our first outing." - EC head coach
Paul Honsinger
UP NEXT
Eckerd faces a quick turn around as they continue action in the Bahama House Regional Crossover playing Clark-Atlanta Sunday at 2:00 PM.
