Second-Half Runs Lift No. 22 Florida Southern Past Eckerd

LAKELAND, Fla. - Two second-half runs by No. 22 Florida Southern proved to be the difference as the Moccasins built a 17-point lead, enough to hold off a late push by Eckerd on Wednesday night at the Jenkins Fieldhouse.

With the two runs combined, FSC outscored Eckerd, 27-8, over a 10-plus minute stretch. In the end, it was too much for the Tritons to overcome.

HOW IT ENDED
Final: #22 Florida Southern 82, Eckerd 69
Records: Eckerd 12-4 (5-3 SSC); Florida Southern 13-3 (6-2 SSC)

KEY MOMENTS

• A pair of early 3-pointers by Myron Hagins helped Eckerd jump out to an 8-6 lead, but a Slinky Jones 3-pointer with 16:09 in the first half gave Florida Southern a lead it held for the remainder of the half. The Tritons pulled within one late in the half after a pair of Admir Radoncic free throws and later had a chance to go in front but missed a 3-pointer.  FSC then converted a traditional 3-point play and took a 36-31 lead into halftime.
• Eckerd used a 9-2 run to take its first lead since early in the contest after back-to-back baskets by Marco Behori out the Tritons in front, 42-40, three minutes into the second half.
• That lead was short-lived, however, as FSC answered with a 10-0 run. Gianni Dailey broke EC's drought with consecutive 3-pointers to cut the Mocs' lead to four with the 13:09 mark.  Dailey's second basket turned out to be Eckerd's last for nearly the next five minutes of play.
• Taking advantage of the Tritons' cold spell, the Mocs pulled away midway through the second half with a 13-0 run taking a 65-48 lead with 9:00 to play.
• Eckerd went on a 9-0 run over a 1:34 stretch to pull back within eight points (67-59) with just over five minutes left. The Tritons later cut the deficit to six points but could get no closer. Five straight points by FSC extended its lead to 11 and, as Eckerd was forced to foul in the final minute, the Mocs made four straight free throws to erase any hopes of a comeback.

NOTES AND NUMBERS

• Tonight marked the first time this season in which Eckerd was out-rebounded by its opponent. The Mocs had 16 second-chance points on 14 offensive rebounds.
• Eckerd also turned the ball over eight more times than did Florida Southern for its worst turnover margin of the season.
• Behori flirted with a triple-double for the second time this season. The senior finished with 21 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.  The 21 points were a new career high.
• Drushaun McLaurn was held to just four points, the second-lowest output of his career. It also broke a streak of 14 straight games in double-figures.

UP NEXT
The Tritons look to rebound on Saturday with a visit to Embry-Riddle for a 4:00 PM tipoff.