The Rollins Tars (10-2 3-0 SSC) knocked off the Panthers of Florida Tech 74-62 Wednesday night at the Clemente Center and got coach Tom Klusman his 600th win in his 33rd year as coach of the Tars.
The Tars used some solid 3-point shooting 11-25 (45 percent,) including five of eight from the 3-point line in the second half. The Tars shot 49 percent overall (24-49) in the victory.
The Tars were led by a trio of starters in double figures. Kyle McClanahan netted 19 points, had six rebounds and dished out six assists. Dave Diakite scored 16, including a perfect 10 of 10 from the foul line, while Brett Chance chipped in 15 behind solid shooting. Chance was five of six from the floor and nailed three of four from the 3-point line. The Tars had 12 assists and turned the ball over 21 times.
For the Panthers (6-5 0-2 SSC) the loss was the fourth in the past six contests. Only one player scored in double figures. Chris Carter led all scorers with 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds. The Panthers were stymied by the Tars zone defense all night. They shot 37 percent from the field (22-60) and really struggled from the 3-point line where they shot 10.5 percent (2-19.) The Panthers shot 76 percent (16-21) at the foul line on the evening. Florida Tech won the battle of the boards 36-35. They had seven assists and turned the ball over 15 times. The Panthers did have 12 steals. The leader in the nation Julius Reed had six and is now averaging 4.5 per game.
The game went back and forth in the first several minutes and would be deadlocked at 16 until a Kyle McClanahan 3-pointer would give the Tars a 19-16 lead with 10:07 in the half. After a Randy Echols basket would cut the lead to 19-18 the Tars would reel off the game's next 16 points. McClanahan would hit a pair of 3-pointers, Chance would have a five point run by himself and then a thunderous dunk on a breakaway by Dave Diakite would get the Tars bench fired up. Chance would hit another three and then Jeff Dirkin would split a pair of free throws to make it 35-18 with 4:27 in the half. The Tars lead would be 37-23 headed to the locker room.
The Panthers scored the first four points of the second half and the Tars lead would be 10 (37-27) after a David Usic layup fifty seconds in. In the next three minutes the Tars would stretch the lead to 17 (48-31) after a Mitch Woods three. The Tars would lead by as many as 20 (60-40) and would cruise for the last ten minutes to get Klusman his milestone win.
Here are a few thoughts from some current Tars on coach Klusman after 600 wins:
"Coach Klusman is the man. We all love him to death. He is a great coach. We are very lucky to play under Coach Klusman said Kyle Schenider."
Jeff Dirkin added these comments:
" Klusman has an exceptional talent for managing and motivating players. He believes in every one of us, often more than we believe in ourselves. That is a very powerful motivator".
Corey Goedde agreed:
" He's a legendary coach and to be as successful as he has for as long as he has been coaching is a pretty amazing thing."
Florida Tech issued Klusman a basketball signifying his 600th win.
Rollins will be back in action on Saturday when they take a step back from conference play and battle Palm Beach Atlantic at Warden Arena. Tip time is set for 4 PM.
Other SSC scores:
Nova Southeastern 75 Palm Beach Atlantic 71 (OT)
Lynn 71 Barry 66
Eckerd 73 Tampa 70
Saint Leo 71 Florida Southern 63
SSC Standings
Rollins 3-0 (10-2)
Saint Leo 3-0 (10-2)
Florida Southern 2-1 (9-2)
Nova Southeastern 1-1 (8-3)
Eckerd 1-2 (7-3)
Lynn 1-2 (8-4)
Barry 1-2 (6-5)
Tampa 0-2 (12-2)
Florida Tech 0-2 (6-5)
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