Titans Hold Off Late Surge From Patriots, 69-63
By Mark DeCotis, Athletic Communications // December 17, 2014
Freshman Townsend records a double-double
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Eastern Florida’s women’s basketball team built a 30-point second-half lead and then withstood a furious College of Central Florida rally over the final 16 minutes to pull out a 69-63 victory on Tuesday in the Melbourne Campus gym.
The victory moved EFSC to 8-5, eclipsing its total of seven wins from the 2013-2014 season when it finished 7-23.
CCF fell to 12-4 and saw a seven-game winning streak snapped. CCF defeated Eastern Florida 78-57 on Dec. 5 in Ocala.
On Tuesday Eastern Florida started and finished the first half strongly, leading 45-20 at the break.
The Titans built the lead to 54-24 with 16 minutes and 35 seconds to play but CCF steadily chipped away as EFSC managed just five baskets from the floor in the final 17:02.
CCF got to within seven points twice in the final two minutes and to within five, 67-62, with 31.7 seconds to go.
A pair of free throws from sophomore co-captain Jessica Doyle gave EFSC some breathing room at 69-62 with 30.3 to play and the Titans held on.
EFSC came into the game ranked seventh in the FCSAA coaches’ poll, its highest rating of the season.
CCF was ranked sixth.
Sophomore co-captain Rachelle Aupont led EFSC with 14 points. Freshman Crystal Townsend had 10 points and 14 rebounds. Doyle also scored 10 points.
Admission is free.
EFSC resumes play on Dec. 30 hosting Niagara (New York) Community College at 6 p.m.
