ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Despite a large Tritons' lead at halftime, the Statesmen use a pair of second-half runs to force overtime and ultimately defeat the Eckerd men's basketball team, 86-80, in its season opener at the McArthur Center Friday afternoon.
The teams struggled from the floor early on as they remained within one possession of each other for the first 10 minutes. Eckerd then went on a 15-0 scoring run to take a 37-23 lead at halftime.
EC maintained a double-digit lead throughout the opening nine minutes of the second half. However, the Statesmen made three straight triples to pull within one point at the 10:25 mark. Eckerd pushed back out by seven, but DSU used a 7-0 stretch to even the score at 55-55 with 6:07 left. EC went in front again by five with under three minutes remaining, but Delta State evened the score with 48 seconds left as neither team was able to net the game-winner in the final minute.
A Statesmen triple at the 2:14 mark in overtime game DSU a four-point lead. EC cut the lead to two on a pair of David Swedura free throws seconds later but was unable to make up the difference in the final two minutes as DSU went on to win 86-80.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Delta State 86, Eckerd 80 (OT)
RECORDS: Eckerd 0-1; Delta State 1-0
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Joshua Galloway posted a double-double with 27 points and 11 rebounds, both career-high marks.
- Three other Tritons posted double-figures: Sweedura (17), GianFranco Grafals (15), and Kent Garard (11).
- Grafals nearly added a double-double as well with eight rebounds.
- Swedura rounded out his solid stat line with five rebounds, five assists, and three steals over 43 minutes.
- The Tritons grabbed 10 steals, with four Tritons collecting two or more each.
- EC shot 42.2 percent from the floor and 37.5 percent from 3-point range.
QUOTABLE
"It was a battle, and our guys played hard, but Delta State made some tough shots down the stretch," said head coach Bryan Galuski '98. "We did many positive things, but at the same time made some mistakes. It's a young season, and we will continue to grow and learn."
UP NEXT
Eckerd returns to action for day two of the SSC-GSC Crossover, hosting West Alabama at 3:00 PM.
