MELBOURNE, Fla. - The Eckerd men's basketball team nearly pulled off a double-digit comeback over Florida Tech as the Tritons pulled within one in the final five seconds. However, Eckerd was unable to complete the rally, falling 80-76 in the Clemente Center Wednesday night.
The teams swapped leads throughout the opening 13 minutes of the game before the Panthers took a nine-point lead with 5:03 left. However, the Tritons responded with a 14-5 stretch to even the score at 38-38 at intermission.
Eckerd and Florida Tech stayed within one possession of each other throughout the opening five minutes of the second half before the Panthers went on an 8-0 run to take a 59-48 favor with 12:16 left. Eckerd pulled within two possessions three times over the next 10 minutes, but Florida Tech continued to push in front. Over the final 1:33, Eckerd used a 7-1 stretch capped by a David Swedura pocket triple to trail 76-75 with five seconds left. However, the Panthers made their free throws in the final second to seal the win.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Florida Tech 80, Eckerd 76
RECORDS: Eckerd 6-10 (3-7 SSC); Florida Tech 14-4 (7-3 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Carr Thiam and Daniel Love led EC with 24 and 21 points, respectively.
- Thiam and Roque Rosario pulled down a team-leading six rebounds each.
- Love dished out seven assists while Swedura added five.
- The game featured a combined 20 lead changes and score ties.
- Eckerd shot 43.8 percent from the floor.
UP NEXT
Eckerd returns to the McArthur Center Saturday at 5:00 PM to face Palm Beach Atlantic.
