Tritons Hold Off Embry-Riddle for Important SSC Road Win

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.- The Eckerd women's basketball team avenged a loss last month by holding off a late run and picking up a vital road victory Wednesday night defeating Embry-Riddle, 72-67.

After a close first half, Eckerd's offense picked up steam and led by as many as 20 points late in the third quarter after a 17-4 run.  Embry-Riddle, however, came roaring back and pulled within a point with 1:30 to play. 

Ultimately, Eckerd was able to withstand the rally while making clutch free throws line to seal the victory.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: Eckerd 72, Embry-Riddle 67
Records: Eckerd 18-6 (12-5 SSC), Embry-Riddle 18-6 (12-5 SSC)

KEY MOMENTS

• The first quarter remained tight between the two teams as neither was able to take more than a one-possession advantage. Eckerd took the final edge og the quarter as Zoe Richards rolled off a bucket in the final 30 seconds to put Eckerd up, 15-13.
• The second quarter echoed the first with the score staying tight as the teams traded buckets. Eckerd pulled ahead late in the quarter as Chelsea Johnson scored five consecutive points in the final two minutes, putting the Tritons ahead by seven points (36-29) at the half.
• The Tritons came out of the gates at halftime blazing, going on a 17-4 run over the first seven minutes of the third quarter while also forcing four Embry-Riddle turnovers in the first minute and a half. The run put Eckerd up by 20 points (53-33) with 3:30 left in the quarter. The Eagles responded with an 11-0 run before Abby Whiteye knocked in a jumper giving Eckerd an 11-point lead heading into the final quarter.
• Eckerd held Embry-Riddle at arm's length in the first five minutes of the final quarter before the Eagles hit back-to-back 3-pointers along with two free throws to pull within one point with 1:27 left. Eckerd would not give the lead, though, as the team was solid at the free throw line going 6-for-8 in the final 59 seconds to seal the win. During the final 1:27, the Eckerd defense also came up with a few big stops forcing Embry-Riddle to miss seven shots. 

NOTES AND NUMBERS

• Three Tritons scored in double-digits with Johnson's 18 points leading the way. Yarden Danan and Kacie Juday contributed with 17 and 15 points respectively.
• Juday led the team on the boards with nine rebounds, just one rebound short of her ninth double-double of the season while Whiteye also grabbed seven rebounds.
• With the win, Eckerd is now tied with Embry-Riddle for second place in the SSC standings at 12-5 in conference play after splitting the regular-season series.
• Eckerd shot 54.2 percent in the game, marking the seventh time this season and the fourth time in the past five games the Tritons have shot above 50 percent in a game.
• The win clinched a top-four conference finish for the Tritons, meaning Eckerd will host an opening-round game in the conference tournament on Wednesday, February 28.

QUOTABLE
"We moved the ball well and hit open shots to get a sizable lead in the third quarter. We also did a nice job withstanding Embry-Riddle's run and knocking down free throws down the stretch." - EC head coach Paul Honsinger

UP NEXT
Eckerd visits Rollins on Saturday for a 2:00 PM tip looking to hold onto its share of second place in the conference.