ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Despite trailing for the majority of the game, the Eckerd women's basketball team rallied to take the lead late in the fourth period against the SSC leader, Nova Southeastern. The Tritons ultimately fell in a back-and-forth double overtime, 80-72, at the McArthur Center Saturday afternoon.
NSU jumped out to an 8-2 edge over the first five minutes of the game. The Sharks maintained a six to nine-point lead in the frame to take a 20-14 favor after the end of the first. EC pulled within two in the opening minute of the second frame after five straight points. The Tritons added another 5-0 run to take a one-point edge two minutes later. NSU responded to take the lead before taking a 32-28 advantage at the break.
NSU opened the second half with five consecutive points to take a nine-point advantage. The Sharks held a two-to-three possession lead throughout most of the frame until the Tritons cut the deficit to three at the end of the third, 50-47. A 9-4 Tritons' run to start the fourth quarter gave Eckerd its first lead of the game, 56-54, at the 5:01 mark. The teams went quiet from the floor over the rest of regulation. NSU took a two-point lead, but a layup by Chance Bucher with 1:11 left tied the score for Eckerd to send the game to overtime.
EC and NSU traded baskets in overtime, staying within a point of each other. EC went up by three with 32 seconds left as Lauryn Vieira hit two free throws, but the Sharks hit a 3-pointer to tie the game seven seconds later. Eckerd was unable to net a game-winner, forcing a second overtime.
NSU jumped in front by three, but a Hannah Wentworth triple tied the score for the Tritons. However, the Sharks scored on the next possession to take the lead for good, as EC was unable to make another basket down the stretch.
HOW IT ENDED
FINAL: Nova Southeastern 80, Eckerd 72 (2 OT)
RECORDS: Eckerd 12-8 (7-6 SSC); Nova Southeastern 17-3 (12-1 SSC)
NOTES AND NUMBERS
- Vieira posted a game-high 32 points. She flirted with a triple-double, adding nine boards and seven assists. She also added five steals.
- Vieira's 32 points are the third most in a game within the SSC this season behind her 43-point performance in January and Zoe Piller of Tampa's 39 points.
- Bella Green added nine points off the bench.
- The game featured 10 lead changes and five ties.
UP NEXT
Eckerd returns to McArthur Center on Wednesday, hosting Tampa at 5:30 PM.
