ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Lynn University women's basketball team opened Sunshine State Conference action on Saturday with an 82-51 loss at No. 11 Eckerd.
 
The Fighting Knights (2-1, 0-1) hung tough with the nationally-ranked Tritons in the opening half of action, trailing by just three (36-33) at intermission. Eckerd (3-0, 1-0) took control of the game by outscoring Lynn 31-9 in the third quarter.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The contest featured three ties in the opening half of action
- Graduate student Lucija Kostic knotted things at 27 with a layup with 4:40 to play in the second quarter
- The Tritons answered with a 9-0 run for a 36-27 lead
- The Fighting Knights scored the final six points of the quarter to trail by three at the break
- Sophomore Rachel Romich hit four free throws and sophomore Kennedi Philson connected on a layup with 16 seconds left to pull Lynn to within 36-33
- The Fighting Knights shot 40 percent from the field in the opening half and were a perfect 8-for-8 from the foul line
- The Fighting Knights opened the third quarter by tying the game at 38. Graduate student Jada Marone hit a three-pointer and sophomore Makayla Hemingway knocked down a jumper to tie the game
- The Tritons then posted a 15-0 run to lead 53-38 with 3:26 left in the third quarter
- The hosts connected a three-pointer to end the third with a 67-42 lead
- Eckerd increased its lead to 32 points late in the fourth to seal the win
 
FIGHTING KNIGHT STATS:
- Philson led the Fighting Knights with 13 points and six rebounds
- Romich scored nine points behind a perfect 5-of-5 effort at the free throw line
- Marone finished with eight points
- Kostic scored six with five rebounds and two blocks
 
UP NEXT:
- Lynn opens its home slate with Lincoln (Mo.) at 2:00 pm