Morehouse Falls to Eckerd in D2 Playoffs

WINTER PARK, FL … Eckerd College (23-6) advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA South Regional with an 83-66 victory over Morehouse (23-8). The Tritons finished with four players in double figures while Brandon Childs dished-in 20 points for Morehouse to lead all scores.

Eckerd took the lead with 17:48 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The Tritons picked-up 17 points off turnovers in the half and led by as much as 14 before taking a 47-37 advantage over Morehouse into the break

“I am very happy with the effort we displayed,” said Eckerd head coach Tom Ryan. “The guys played hard and I am proud of them.”

Morehouse closed to within five points of Eckerd with 7:48 remaining in the game, but Eckerd pulled away down the stretch, leading by as many as 18 with 2:26 remaining. Eckerd out-shot Morehouse from the foul line in the second half, making 87 percent to Morehouse’s 44%. Anthony Washington and Cerwin Thompson each dished-in eight points in the second half to propel Eckerd College to the semifinal round.

“If we go out and play 100 percent, so be it,” said Thompson. “ If the ball falls, I can live with it. We have to give an effort.”

Morehouse connected on 46.3% from the field in the game. Eckerd only tallied 46% but had seven fewer turnovers than Morehouse.

“They were the better team tonight,” said Morehouse head coach Grady Brewer. We were not able to get over the hump. We had our opportunities but we kept making mistakes and turnovers, that ultimately tired us.”

Eckerd will face the winner of #1 Rollins/ #8 Alabama-Huntsville in the semifinals of the NCAA Division II South Regional. Game time at the Alfond Sports Center is at 7:30 p.m.