BLUFFTON, S.C. – Chance Casenhiser poured in 36 points as the Eckerd men's basketball team rallied from a nine-point second-half deficit to defeat USC Beaufort 101-91 in its season opener Friday evening on the road.
Eckerd opened the game on a 6-0 run behind six straight points from Micah Pierce, including a pair of dunks. Jeremias Berchal added consecutive baskets as the Tritons extended their lead to 12-3 less than three minutes into the contest. Casenhiser followed with a jumper to give Eckerd its largest lead of the half at 14-3.
USC Beaufort chipped away at the early deficit before eventually taking the lead. The teams traded baskets throughout the closing minutes of the half, with the Sand Sharks carrying a 49-44 advantage into the break.
The home team extended its lead to nine points early in the second half, but Eckerd began to find its rhythm offensively. Trailing 64-54 with just over 14 minutes remaining, the Tritons used an 11-2 stretch to pull within one at 66-65. Berchal and Tim Taiwo contributed baskets during the surge, while Casenhiser capped the stretch with a triple.
The Sand Sharks pushed their lead back to seven at 74-67 midway through the half, but Casenhiser answered with another three. Pierce followed with a second-chance layup, and Taiwo added a jumper to trim the deficit to one. Pierce then converted another putback to put Eckerd ahead 76-75 with 8:08 remaining.
After USC Beaufort tied the game at 76, Casenhiser connected from beyond the arc to put the Tritons back in front for good. He followed with a jumper on the next possession to stretch the advantage to five.
Eckerd maintained its momentum down the stretch, extending its lead to 93-82 with under three minutes remaining. The Tritons held off a late push from the Sand Sharks and closed out the 10-point victory at the free-throw line.
Eckerd outscored USC Beaufort 57-42 in the second half, shooting 54.8 percent from the field after the break while holding the Sand Sharks to 33.3 percent. The Tritons also held a 47-37 advantage on the glass, including 21 offensive rebounds that produced 24 second-chance points.
Casenhiser shot 11-for-22 from the field, including five three-pointers, while adding four rebounds and two steals. Pierce followed with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Berchal added 14 points and three steals. Caden Walton controlled the glass with 15 rebounds, including 11 offensive boards, to go along with seven points and five assists. Taiwo provided 11 points off the bench.
The Tritons will close out the weekend tomorrow against Flagler.
