ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. –The Embry-Riddle women's basketball team posted one of its best wins of the season, topping Eckerd on the road, 59-55. A stellar second-half performance by the Blue and Gold propelled the visiting team to the biggest comeback victory in program history as the Eagles overcame a 17-point deficit to improve to 10-4 overall and 4-3 in Sunshine State Conference play. Eckerd, who topped the league standings coming into the Saturday's game, fell to 11-4 overall and 5-4 in the league.
 
"We are really proud of the team for playing the way we are capable of and sticking to the game plan," ERAU Head Coach Lisa Nuxol-Wilson said. "We had a rough night against Lynn and worked on our mental toughness and staying together, and it showed today. With Sabrina [Whiting] out and two starters in foul trouble, it was a total team effort and focus, and that includes every one of our players who didn't get in the game. I love the genuine team-first mentality we have!"
 
The Eagles got off to a rough start in Saturday's' game, connecting on just one of their first 11 shot attempts. In addition, Lauren Ellenberger, who scored one of the Eagles' two first quarter field goals, was sidelined after picking up two fouls in the first five minutes. All those factors combined to help Eckerd, who was 66.7 percent from the floor, take a 21-8 lead at the end of the first.
 
At the 6:16 mark of the second frame, the Triton lead was 17 (29-12), but with 6:04 left in the period Morgan Ackermann's first three of the contest keyed an 8-0 Eagle run and at the half, the Eckerd lead had been trimmed to nine points (34-25).
 
The Eagles came out strong following the halftime break and went on a 12-0 run to start the third, overtaking Eckerd 37-34. That advantage grew to four points (41-37) with 4:31 left in the quarter, but a 7-2 Triton run put the home team back in front 44-43 heading into the final frame.
 
The fourth quarter, which featured three lead changes and four ties, saw Sigrid Sandstrom knock down her only three of the game to put ERAU up 56-54. After Kacie Juday made one of two free throws to make it 56-55, the Eagles took the ball down the floor with 54.7 seconds left in the contest. The Tritons, who had three fouls to give, elected to foul the Eagles twice but that process allowed the clock to run all the way down to 31. 4 seconds.
 
After the Eagles called a timeout to draw up a play, the Tritons came up with a steal and raced down the court with a chance to reclaim the lead, but Ada Yalcin dribbled the ball off her leg and out of bounds, returning possession to ERAU with 10.1 seconds remaining.
 
The Tritons elected to foul Ellenberger on the Eagles' next trip down the court and got the ball back, trailing by three with six seconds left after the ERAU junior made one of two free throws. The Tritons' next possession was foiled by a solid defensive effort by the Blue and Gold and Sandstrom hit back-to-back free throws to seal the Eagle win.
 
Tara Fields led all players with 20 points and nine boards. Sandstrom and Ellenberger tallied nine points apiece, with Sandstrom pulling down seven rebounds.
 
The Eagles will play their next two games in the friendly confines of the ICI Center, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. tilt against Nova Southeastern on Wednesday.