The Eckerd Tritons women’s basketball team defeated the No. 2 seeded Union Bulldogs on March 15 in the second round of the NCAA Tournament, winning by a score of 65-38.
This victory moves the Tritons into the Sweet 16 and marks a significant achievement for the team this season. The game was characterized by strong defensive play from both teams, but Eckerd managed to take control early and maintain their lead throughout.
In the opening quarter, both teams struggled offensively, with Eckerd holding a narrow lead before Jaylen Ostenson’s three-pointer and Ieva Korzane’s basket extended it further. Union did not score until late in the first quarter, which ended with Eckerd ahead 13-2. The Bulldogs narrowed the gap in the second quarter, but a scoring run led by Korzane helped Eckerd regain momentum and finish the half leading 28-16.
After halftime, Eckerd continued its defensive pressure, limiting Union to just four made shots in the third quarter. The Tritons’ advantage grew as they shot above 50 percent in three quarters and held Union to only seven field goals in the entire second half. In the final period, Eckerd hit 67 percent of its shots from the field and saw its lead reach as many as 31 points.
Korzane led all scorers with 27 points and surpassed 1,000 career points during the game. Lisa Michaelsen contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while Ostenson added another double-digit performance with 13 points and eight boards. The team’s defense allowed just 38 points—the lowest total given up to any opponent this season.
Looking ahead, Eckerd will face No. 1 seed UAH on Monday at 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
