VALDOSTA, Ga. -- A huge first quarter by Eckerd College is what proved the difference between them and the Georgia Southwestern women's basketball team as they were defeated, 81-66, during day two of the Valdosta State Thanksgiving Classic held at The Complex Saturday evening. 

How It Happened: GSW started strong and went up, 4-2, behind scores from Dominique Jeffery and Lex Chatman but that was the only and final time they led throughout the game. Eckerd went on a 15-0 run before GSW was able to score as Tyra Smith drained two from the line, 19-6. The Tritons finished the quarter with a 8-2 run as they led, 27-8. 

GSW (4-2) rebounded in the second quarter, scoring 25 points as a layup by Chatman cut the lead to 10 points, 37-27, with 2:31 remaining in the half. Chatman and Tamecia Blue led with seven points each in the second quarter as Blue drained two from the line to go into halftime down by eight, 41-33.  

Eckerd opened the second half with a run as they wanted to expand the lead; and that they did. Eckerd (3-1) took their largest lead of the evening (20 points) with 2:58 remaining in the third quarter as Ciara Granlund drained a three to push the score, 62-42.

Eckerd controlled the game as they shot 56.1 percent from the field while GSW shot 31.6 percent. The Tritons tallied 24 fouls which put the Lady Hurricanes at the line where they went 27-for-33, finishing 81.8 percent from the line. Eckerd had more turnovers than GSW (23-15) but they had the rebound advantage, 40-29, over GSW.

Who Stood Out: Blue led GSW with 17 points as she drained 10 from the line. Mariya Trimble came off the bench with 13 points, four rebounds and three assists. Chatman added nine while Madison Johnson added seven points and five assists. 

Eckerd was led by Zoe Richards, who finished with 18 points and three assists. Abby Whiteye finished with 14 points while Octavia Loll finished with a double-double, scoring 11 points while snatching 11 boards also. 

Up Next: The Lady Hurricanes begin Peach Belt Conference play on December 19 when they will hit the road to take on Augusta University for a 5:30 p.m. start.