ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Lynn University women's basketball team beat the buzzer on Wednesday night to force overtime but ultimately fell 77-72 to Eckerd College in Sunshine State Conference play.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: Eckerd 77, Lynn 72

Records: Eckerd (8-5, 4-3 SSC), Lynn (2-12 , 0-8 SSC)

Location: McArthur Center | St. Petersburg, Fla.

Series: Lynn leads 24-15

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HOW IT HAPPENED:

• First Quarter: Tifani Kerrison controlled the opening tip, and a Nina Guillaume layup gave the Fighting Knights the first score of the game. Lynn's next lead came after Shaunt'e Tucker connected on a pair of free throws to make it a 10-8 game. Six different Fighting Knights recorded a steal, and the Tritons committed 10 turnovers. Tucker finished the first frame with eight points to lift the Blue and White to a 17-14 advantage.
• Second Quarter: The two teams exchanged buckets for most of the second quarter, with the first tie coming three minutes into the period. Tucker added six more points to finish her first half with 14 points on a perfect 5-of-5 effort from the floor. The Fighting Knights never trailed in the second chapter, carrying a slim 37-36 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
• Third Quarter: Bria Huffmann added four points to become the second Fighting Knight of the evening in double-figures. As a team, Lynn collected 11 rebounds, but Eckerd reversed the turnover script and forced Lynn to commit seven. The Fighting Knights took a 48-47 lead into the fourth quarter, but the excitement was only beginning.
• Fourth Quarter: A back-and-forth ten minute stint found Lynn on the wrong end of a 68-66 deficit, but Huffmann tipped in a missed shot at the horn to send the game to overtime. Six Fighting Knights scored in the frame, and the Blue and White seemed to carry momentum into the extra period.  
• Overtime: Eckerd's Ashley Folsom converted both attempts from the free throw line to give the home team a lead they wouldn't relinquish for the rest of the contest. The Tritons outscored Lynn 9-4 down the stretch, and Eckerd escaped Wednesday night with a Sunshine State Conference victory.

QUOTABLE:

• "When I walked back into the gym of my alma mater tonight, it felt like being back at home. I loved my time here, but hugging Coach Hunsinger as a competitor before the game was a different feeling. To see our girls fight to then end and not give up against one of the hardest teams in the league to guard was encouraging. In the fourth quarter, Bria made an amazing follow-up bucket to send the game to overtime, and it was nice to see her get back in the groove today. We keep getting closer and closer, and we just have to stay positive." - Lynn head coach Julia Huddleston 

STATS FROM THE GAME:

• Tucker's 16 points held up as a team-high, while Huffmann and Maddie Herr each added 15. Triton center Ashley Folsom led all scorers with 26.
• Each team collected 26 defensive rebounds, but Lynn claimed 17 of the night's 23 offensive boards. Kerrison and Guillaume each hauled in seven, while Eckerd's Kacie Juday tallied a game-best 11.
• Eight Fighting Knights finished the game with at least one steal.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Tucker's previous career high was nine points, a feat she had accomplished twice this season.

UP NEXT

The Fighting Knights return to action on Saturday, when they travel Daytona Beach to take on the Eagles of Embry-Riddle. Tipoff is slated for 5 pm.