BOCA RATON, Fla. - Back-to-back record-breaking performances by Lauryn Vieira and a dominant second half led the Tritons to a comeback victory over the Fighting Knights on the road on Wednesday night. The Eckerd women's basketball team trailed by seven at half to win 69-56, fueled by Vieira's single-game record of 43 points.
The Fighting Knights started the game on a 7-0 run in the opening two minutes. Vieira added eight points as part of an 8-2 run to bring Eckerd back within one halfway through the first quarter. Despite Vieira scoring 23 of the Tritons' 28 points in the first half, Eckerd faced a seven-point deficit heading into the break, trailing the Fighting Knights 35-28.
A 12-point run for Eckerd midway through the third quarter turned the tide for the Tritons, as they took the advantage and did not relinquish it for the remainder of the game. Lynn brought the game back within one at the 4:47 mark of the third quarter before Vieira went on a five-point run to give Eckerd a more comfortable lead. The Tritons headed into the final frame with a 52-45 favor. Chance Bucher and Hannah Wentworth brought the lead into double-digits in the early goings of the fourth quarter. Ieva Korzane added to give Eckerd its largest lead of the game at 14. Vieira closed the game out with a layup in the final minute for the 69-56 comeback victory.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Eckerd 69, Lynn 56
RECORDS: Eckerd 8-4 (3-2 SSC); Lynn 7-5 (2-2 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Vieira's 43 points are not only a career-high but also a program record. She joins the 40-point club, breaking the record of 40 points set by Gabby Gattuso against Tampa in 2007. She eclipsed the mark with a 3-pointer with 1:04 left and added a layup with 19 seconds left.
- Vieira's 43 points are the most by a Division II player this year, and ties the SSC record for points in a game.
- Bella Green and Hannah Wentworth were the only other Tritons to contribute points in the first half.
- Vieira's five steals tonight bring her season total to 50, ranking first in Division II.
- Vieira shot 72.72 percent (16-for-22) from the floor and 7-for-8 from the charity stripe. She padded her stat line with eight assists and five rebounds.
- Wentworth nearly put up double-digits with nine, shooting 3-for-8 from beyond the arc.
UP NEXT
Eckerd returns home Saturday to face Rollins at 2:00 PM at the McArthur Center.
