TAMPA, Fla. - Despite the Tritons rallying to pull within three in the final minute after trailing by 14, Flagler (Fla.) pulled away in the final minute as the Eckerd men's basketball team fell to the Saints, 77-67, on the first day of the Tampa Classic at the Bob Martinez Center on Friday night.
Eckerd and Flagler traded baskets early to start the game, with the Saints holding a slight edge throughout the first 10 minutes until the Tritons tied the game at 20-20. A 13-2 run put FC up by 10 with 2:52 left in the half, but EC followed with a 9-2 run to cut its deficit to three, 35-32, at the break.
The Saints started the second half on a 16-5 stretch over seven minutes to take a 14-point lead. Eckerd cut its deficit to eight five minutes later, but Flagler maintained an arms-length lead until the final minute. An 8-0 run pulled Eckerd within four with 53 seconds left. However, Flagler made its free throws down the stretch, and the Tritons were unable to pull any closer, falling 77-67.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Flagler (Fla.) 77, Eckerd 67
RECORDS: Eckerd 6-6; Flagler 7-2
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Isaiah Placide led Eckerd with 15 points, while Koa Baker (13) and Timothy Thompson (12) rounded out the double-figure scorers.
- Thompson posted his second double-double of the year with 10 rebounds.
- Placide went 5-for-10 from the perimeter as Eckerd shot 44.0 percent from behind the arc.
- Dante Bouchard added a pair of steals.
UP NEXT
Eckerd continues action at the Tampa Classic, facing off against Roberts Wesleyan (NY) tomorrow at 5:00 PM.
