UNF can't find prescription for Eckerd in 80-66 loss

Friday, December 3

Valdosta, Ga.

4:00 PM

University of North Florida

Eckerd

2/17/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball

GAME NOTES l BOX SCORE

VALDOSTA, Ga. (Dec. 3, 2004) - Derrick Scott and Chris Timberlake can never be accused of watching and waiting.

On Friday afternoon, the guard duo teamed up to keep the University of North Florida alive for 30 minutes against Eckerd College in the opening round of the Park Avenue Bank Classic at Valdosta State.

In the end, UNF couldn't overcome another prolonged second-half lull, or a lack of production in the paint, in losing 80-66 to the Tritons at the Valdosta State P.E. Complex.

Scott scored a season-high 20 points and Timberlake added 18, hitting a combined 15-of-25 shots between them, but an 18-0 run by Eckerd late in the second half broke a 49-49 tie and sent the Tritons (5-1) to victory and a spot in the tournament championship game on Saturday night. UNF (1-7) will play either Shaw or Valdosta State on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the consolation game.

"We did a good job getting the ball inside early in the second half, but we hit a road block," UNF head coach Matt Kilcullen said. "Our big guys just didn't get the job done. I thought Derrick Scott and Chris Timberlake had a fantastic night. Turnovers continue to hurt us."

Both teams shot the ball well, with UNF hitting 56 percent for the game (24-of-43) and Eckerd 51 percent (26-of-51), but 24 Osprey turnovers led to 29 points for Eckerd, eventually proving to be UNF's undoing.

Steve Berg led Eckerd with 18 points off the bench, while Chris Maddux added 14 points for the Tritons.

UNF jumped out to a 7-0 lead in the opening minute and led 16-10 a short time later behind Scott, who scored nine of the Ospreys' first 21 points. Eckerd rallied from there, storming back to take a 27-26 lead on Charles Bryant's free throw with 3:23 to play before halftime.

The Tritons stretched that lead to 36-33 at halftime and 43-37 early in the second half. A pair of Scott field goals fueled an 8-2 run by UNF to tie the game at 49 with 9:47 to play, but from there UNF hit a six-minute scoreless spell and Eckerd pulled away.

Saturday's game will be broadcast in Jacksonville on WIOJ-AM 1010 and can also be heard on the UNF website at www.unf.edu/sports.