ECKERD DEFEATS FGCU COMEBACK STYLE

MONTEVALLO, Ala. -- Eckerd forward Will Hennegan spent more time chanting defense than playing on the court in Saturday’s 81-79 victory over Florida Gulf Coast during the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

For the 375 that saw the Tritons’ late night comeback win the up-beat offensive styles of both teams appeared to dominate the game, but it was Eckerd’s defense that helped turn an 11-point deficit into a berth in Sunday’s regional semifinal against host Montevallo at 7:30 p.m.
"Coach (Ryan) told us that we needed to execute and needed to play defense to win this ball game and we took that seriously," Hennegan said. "We've had a long season, so we wanted to come out here and do the things we needed to do to win this ball game which was rebound, play defense and play as a team."

Ryan's prophetic words did not go unnoticed by Eckerd's big bodies on the front-court. The Tritons out-rebounded one of the premier rebounding teams in the nation 33-28 and denied the Eagles second-chance opportunities in the paint.

Senior Charles Bryant led the way by grabbing eight rebounds, while five other Eckerd players contributed with at least three boards.

Down by 11 points midway through the second-half, Eckerd carried the momentum generated on the defensive end of the court to spur the comeback, while holding Florida Gulf Coast to 9-of-20 shooting in the second half.

Hennegan's nine points off the bench helped get the ball rolling by establishing an inside presence, then senior Greg Plummer went to work pouring in 21 of his career-high 31 points in the second half.

"I think it's better for us to get a wake-up call by being behind," Plummer said of the comeback. "Nobody wants to be behind, but sometimes we go through lapses. It puts a fire under us so when we come back, we win."

Plummer was not the only player to have a career night. Junior center Chris Maddux. made six-of-seven shots from the field to match his career-high 14 points.

Eckerd tied the game at 61-61 with 9:25 remaining after going on a 9-2 run to pull even. Florida Gulf Coast traded the lead with Eckerd six times in the final nine minutes.

The Eagles relied on outside sharp-shooters Bryan Crislip and Ryan Hopkins for the majority of its offense late in the game. Crislip was 4-for-8 from beyond the three-point line, while Hopkins added five three-pointers. Crislip led the team with 21 points.

Hopkins gave Eckerd's guards a tough time by draining several 20-foot three-pointer, but a late technical foul rattle Hopkins down the stretch. Following the technical foul, Hopkins went 0-for-3 from three-point range, including a last second attempt to win the game that rimmed out.

Eckerd advanced to the second round of the NCAA regional tournament for the third consecutive year. The Tritons will have their hands full on Sunday playing host Montevallo at 7:30 p.m.

-EC-