ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Eckerd men's basketball team utilized a 10-point run early in the second half to surge past Davenport (Mich.) on the way to a 77-70 victory on the opening day of the Eckerd Thanksgiving Classic on Friday in the McArthur Center.
Both teams struggled offensively in the opening half, with Davenport taking a 14-6 lead at the 14:30 mark. The Panthers held their eight-point advantage until the six-minute mark, where the Tritons started a 15-5 stretch to give EC a 34-32 favor at intermission.
Eckerd and Davenport swapped baskets early in the second half before EC rolled off 10 consecutive points to take a 53-29 favor with 13:45 remaining. DU cut the Tritons' lead to six, 70-64, with 5:34 remaining. However, a Daniel Love triple and a pair of free throws from David Swedura pushed EC back in front by double-digits. Eckerd got several defensive stops while knocking down free throws down the stretch to seal the win.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Eckerd 77, Davenport 70
RECORDS: Eckerd 3-0; Davenport 0-4
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Four Tritons logged double-digits: Love (15), Swedura (15), Carr Thiam (14), and Joshua Galloway (11).
- Thiam also pulled down 10 rebounds to record a double-double.
- Love and Kent Garard grabbed six boards each.
- Jordan Kwiecinski recorded a career-high three steals.
UP NEXT
Eckerd returns to the McArthur Center for day two of the Thanksgiving Classic facing Wayne State (Neb.) at 7:00 PM.
