VALDOSTA, Ga. – The Eckerd women's basketball team rallied from a nine-point deficit in the final five minutes, tying the game with seven seconds remaining, but fell to Fort Valley State by a score of 64-62 on Saturday afternoon.
Eckerd opened the game with a strong defensive effort, holding Fort Valley State to just nine points in the first quarter. Savannah Borowicz connected on an early three-pointer before baskets from Katelyn Best, Zozefine Liva Sipolina, and Adelina Urtane helped the Tritons build a 13-8 advantage. Eckerd carried a 13-9 lead into the second quarter.
Fort Valley State opened the second frame with five unanswered points to take its first lead. Liva Sipolina answered with a three-pointer to put Eckerd back ahead 21-20 with 3:38 remaining, but the Wildcats responded with a 7-0 stretch to build a six-point advantage. Best scored four points in the final minute to pull the Tritons within two and Fort Valley State entered halftime ahead 29-25.
Eckerd opened the second half with a 7-2 stretch, highlighted by a layup from Best that put the Tritons ahead 32-31. After Fort Valley State regained a four-point advantage, Liva Sipolina and Mia Nikolic connected on consecutive three-pointers to move Eckerd back ahead with a 38-36 lead. The teams traded baskets before the Wildcats closed the quarter with four unanswered points to take a 44-42 advantage.
Fort Valley State extended its lead to nine midway through the fourth quarter. Liva Sipolina answered with a three-pointer, while Borowicz converted a three-point play to bring Eckerd within five with 2:11 remaining.
Trailing 60-51 with 1:29 left, the Tritons mounted one final rally. Liva Sipolina scored inside before Ingrid Rau Schiott connected on a three-pointer to cut the deficit to four with 37 seconds remaining. Liva Sipolina followed with a three-point play to bring Eckerd within two at 61-59 with 11 seconds left.
After Fort Valley State split a pair of free throws, Liva Sipolina was fouled on a three-point attempt with seven seconds remaining and converted all three free throws to tie the game at 62. The Wildcats drew a foul as time expired and knocked down both free throws to secure the two-point victory.
Liva Sipolina led all scorers with 28 points, shooting 9-of-16 from the field and 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. She also added seven rebounds and was a perfect 6-for-6 at the free-throw line. Best followed with 13 points and six rebounds, while Borowicz added 11 points and a team-high eight rebounds.
Eckerd will be back in action Wednesday to host Saint Leo for its home and SSC opener.
