ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Despite a late 9-0 run to pull within two points, the Eckerd men's basketball team was unable to complete the rally, ultimately falling to Florida Tech, 77-72, at the McArthur Center Saturday afternoon.
Eckerd jumped out to an early 13-7 lead at the 11:05 mark. EC followed with an 8-0 run to take a 23-12 lead. However, the Panthers responded with 11 straight points to tie the game at 23-23. Eckerd pushed back in front briefly, but Florida Tech followed with five consecutive points to end the half with a 30-28 lead.
The teams traded baskets to open the second half before Florida Tech went on an 11-0 run to take a 53-42 advantage at the 10:49 mark. The Tritons cut their deficit to two, 59-57, at the 6:12 mark on the heels of a 9-0 run. However, FIT pushed back out by eight two minutes later. EC pulled within three on Daniel Love's triple, but Eckerd was unable to make up the difference as FIT made its free throws down the stretch.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Florida Tech 77, Eckerd 72
RECORDS: Eckerd 9-12 (6-9 SSC); Florida Tech 16-7 (9-6 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Daniel Love led EC with 20 points, while Roque Rosario (16), Carr Thiam (13), and Kent Garard (11) rounded out the double-figure scorers.
- Rosario's 16 points set a career-high.
- Rosario, Thiam, and Garard each grabbed five rebounds.
- Eckerd shot 45.8 percent from the field.
UP NEXT
Eckerd returns to action with a trip to Barry next Saturday at 4:00 PM.
