MELBOURNE, Fla. - A low-scoring bout between the Eckerd women's basketball team and the Florida Tech Panthers saw the Tritons sneak by with a 52-37 victory on the road Tuesday night.
It was a closely contested game to start, with the Panthers opening the scoring on a pair of free throws. The Tritons countered to even the score before the teams began to trade baskets and swap leads. With one minute remaining in the opening frame, Ieva Korzane tied the game at 11, before Jaylen Ostenson hit a three to give Eckerd the go ahead. Tech chipped away at the Triton lead in the second quarter, but a four-point run by Chance Bucher gave the Tritons a more comfortable distance. Bucher scored nine of the Tritons' 11 points in the period, allowing Eckerd to hold a 25-18 lead heading into the half.
Eckerd grew its lead to double-digits in the third quarter, as back-and-forth action ensued with the teams trading baskets. Eckerd headed into the final quarter up by eight, with a score of 34-26. The Panthers whittled their deficit back to four in the fourth quarter, but Eckerd was strong from three, as Greta Carollo and Bucher combined to sink three three's. In an attempt to regain possession, the Panthers put the Tritons to the test at the charity stripe, but free throws by Korzane, Emma Egan, and Carollo sealed the deal down the stretch for the 52-37 victory.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Eckerd 52, Florida Tech 37
RECORDS: Eckerd 7-2 (4-1 SSC); Florida Tech 4-5 (1-4 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Bucher and Korzane paced the Tritons with 14 points apiece, while Carollo rounded out double-digit figures with 11 points.
- Bucher and Egan led the team defensively with eight boards apiece.
- Egan added a career-high four steals. She tacked on four assists.
- Bucher added a block, a steal, and four assists for a well-rounded performance.
- EC outshot FT in the paint, 16-12.
UP NEXT
The Tritons return to Lakeland, Florida on Friday for the Mocs Christmas Classic, facing Maryville University (Mo.) at 12:00 PM.
