The Rollins Tars used a complete team effort, some solid defense and a couple timely plays down the stretch to score a big 73-67 win versus Florida Tech at the Clemente Center Wednesday night. The Tars improved to 7-5 (2-1 SSC,) while FIT fell to 11-3 (1-2 SSC.)
Rollins was led by Mitch Woods who poured in a game and season high 23 points including a pair of free throws that stretched the Tars lead to four (71-67) with 14.9 seconds to go. Scott Schuette was a perfect six of six from the floor, including a trio of three pointers to account for his 15 points (including what proved to be the game winner.) Lukas Winegarner had his first career double-double (10 points and 13 rebounds) in the win. The Tars shot 51 percent (26-51) from the field on the evening. They went 8-25 (32 percent) from the 3-point line. The Tars were solid at the foul line, shooting at a 77 percent clip (13-17.) The Tars out rebounded the Panthers 34-30. They had 13 assists- and turned it over 17 times. It was the Tars sixth win in the last seven contests after a 1-4 start.
The Panthers also had three players score in double figures. Jermaine Jackson led the way with 20 points, Corbin Jackson added 12, and Chris Carter was held to just 10. The Panthers shot 45 percent (26-58) from the floor. They were frigid from the 3-point line, where they shot 3 of 18 (17 percent.) FIt shot 71 percent (12-17) at the foul line. The Panthers had 14 assists and 13 turnovers. The Panthers who came into the game seventh in the nation in blocked shots, only had one rejection Wednesday night.
The game started with the Tars flexing a little defensive muscle early. It was a 8 point Rollins lead (12-4) after the opening eight minutes. The Panthers would come back and trail by one (19-18) at the 8:15 mark of the opening half.
The Tars would stretch the lead to six (24-18) on a Adam Allen and a 3-pointer by Schuette. The Panthers would then reel off the next seven points and take the lead 25-24 with 5:15 left in the half. Jeff Dirkin would nail a 3-pointer to give Rollins the lead back and the Tars would take a 31-29 lead at the half.
The second half would go back and forth. The first ten minutes would see five ties and seven lead changes. Carter would nail a 3-pointer to give the Panthers a four point lead (53-49) that would be there largest of the night. The Tars would get the lead right back after a pair of Wingarner free throws and a 3-pointer from Woods. Winegarner would briefly give the Tars a two point lead (64-62) before the Panthers would tie the game for the 11th time on a Corbin Jackson bucket at the 3:34 mark. Schuette would nail a three, only to see the Panthers Akeem Johnson tie it with a conventional three point play at the 2:05 mark. But it would be the Tars who would hold the Panthers high powered
offense scoreless the rest of the way. Schuette would hit what would prove to be the game winning layup with 41 seconds left on the clock on a feed by Winegarner. After another Tar stop at the other end, Woods would nail a pair of pressure free throws with 14.9 to go. Alex Belssig would close the scoring with a pair of free throws and the Tars would have a big road win.
Rollins will be back in action Saturday at Warden Arena when they take on Eckerd. Tip time is set for 4 PM. You can catch all the action on 91.5 FM WPRK Winter Park and worldwide on the web at RollinsSports.com
Other SSC scores:
Florida Southern 84 Eckerd 55
Tampa 59 Saint Leo 57
Barry 78 Palm Beach Atlantic 69
Nova Southeastern 62 Lynn 57
SSC Standings:
Florida Southern 3-0 (14-0)
Tampa 2-1 (9-3)
Rollins 2-1 (7-5)
Barry 1-1 (10-1)
Eckerd 1-1 (8-5)
Saint Leo 1-2 (12-3)
Florida Tech 1-2 (11-3)
Nova Southeastern 1-2 (4-9)
Lynn 0-2 (6-6)
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