TAMPA, Fla. – The Eckerd women's basketball team used a strong second quarter to battle back from an early eight-point deficit Wednesday night, but struggled offensively in the second half while Tampa used a large run in the third quarter to take the lead on the way to a 53-37 win in EC's final road game of the regular season.
HOW IT ENDED
Final: Tampa 53, Eckerd 37
Records: Eckerd 19-8 (13-6 SSC); Tampa 21-6 (15-4 SSC)
KEY MOMENTS
- The teams faced a bit of a slow start before an Armi Anttila basket got Eckerd on the board two minutes into the game. Tampa went up 5-2 following five straight points before another Anttila basket halfway through the quarter pulled Eckerd within one. The Spartans went on an 11-4 run over the remainder of the quarter to take an eight-point lead to end the first period.
- The Triton offense caught fire to open the second quarter going in a 13-2 run over the first five minutes of the period to take a three-point lead with Zoe Richards accounting for nine of Eckerd's points during the run. Eckerd cooled off some in the remainder of the half making just one basket over final four minutes on an Eneritz Larranaga layup. The Eckerd defense held the Spartans to just five points and without a field goal made in the second period as Eckerd took a 23-21 lead into the break.
- Tampa took a quick three-point lead to open the half before a traditional three-point play by Chelsea Johnson evened the score at 26-26. Tampa followed with a 10-1 run over the final seven minutes of the third quarter to take a 36-27 lead into the final quarter.
- An Anttila jumper with 6:16 left snapped Eckerd's cold spell and cut the deficit to 11 points. The Spartans stretched their lead to 14 points minutes later but a Haeli Howard 3-pointer pulled Eckerd within 11 with just over three minutes left. A Johnson triple one minute later cut the deficit to 10 points, but Eckerd was unable to make up the gap in the final two minutes, falling 53-37.
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Richards was the only Triton in double-figures with 11 points, all of which came in the first half.
- Yarden Danan led Eckerd on the boards tying her career-high with nine rebounds.
- Eckerd shot a season-low 26.8 percent from the field while going 3-for-22 from behind the arc.
- Eckerd drops to third place in the SSC standings sitting a half game above Nova Southeastern and a game ahead of Embry-Riddle, which visits Eckerd on Saturday.
UP NEXT
Eckerd finishes the regular season on Saturday hosting Embry-Riddle for senior day with a 2:00 PM start. Eckerd will honor its three seniors (Anttila, Danan, and Johnson) before the game.
