The Rollins College Tars opened the 2014-15 basketball season with a "barn burner" against host Clark Atlanta at L.S. Epps Gym. In the end the Tars prevailed 80-76. Friday.
Rollins (1-0) was led by a pair of seniors. Chris Uhle went 5-8 from the floor- nailing four 3-pointer's on the night to go along with eight rebounds. Scott Schuette also came up big netting 12 points. The senior from Lexington nailed a contested 3-pointer up against the shot clock with under a minute to go and got a huge steal in the final minute. Two other Tars scored in double figures, as Sharif Almulla had his best evening as a Tar scoring 16 points. Alex Blessig added 12 in the victory. Jeff Merton also made some big plays down the stretch scoring eight points and grabbing six rebounds.
Three Panthers (0-1) scored in double figures in the loss. Clark was led by Derek Harper with 21 points in 26 minutes of action. Damion Enoch notched a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Najee Whitehead also tallied 14 for the hosts.
The Tars shot 43 percent (25-55 on the day.)- they were a very respectable 39 percent (10-26) from the 3-point line. The Tars shot 74 percent (20-27) at the free throw line. Rollins had 16 assists and turned it over 12 times.
The Panthers were held to just 36 percent (23-64) from the field. They struggled from the 3-point line going 6-22 (27 percent.) Clark shot 77 percent (24-31) from the foul line. The Panthers won the rebounding battle 44-35. They had 12 assists and turned the ball over 11 times.
The Tars jumped out of the gate early and quieted the capacity crowd taking a early eight point lead (19-11.) The Panthers would answer and knot the game at 19. The Tars would go on another run and lead by eight (29-21) after a Sam Phillipott jumper late in the first half. Clark would cut into the Tars lead and Rollins would take a 38-35 lead into the locker room.
The Tars would get off to a quick start in the second half and three minutes in would take a nine point lead after a Blessig 3-pointer. The Tars would see the Panthers then go on a 10-2 run to cut the lead to one (52-51) with 12 minutes to go. Uhle would nail a big 3-pointer that would stretch the Rollins lead to four. Once again the home team would answer. Haper would score five straight points. His 3-pointer would give the Panthers a 59-57 lead.
Rollins would then go on a 11-2 run to take a seven point lead (68-61.) Harper would again have the hot hand and the Panthers would regain the lead 70-69. Once again Uhle would nail a 3-pointer to give the Tars the lead back. The Panthers would answer and tie the game at 72 with two minutes to play.
After a Rollins stop on the defensive end Schuette would nail a 3-pointer up against the shot clock to give the Tars a 75-72 lead with under a minute to go. Damion Enoch would make a layup to cut the lead to one (75-74 on the ensuing possession.)
Then a crazy sequence of events ensued. The Tars would see Schuette get a huge steal after Jeff Dirkin intentionally fouled the Panthers despite the Tars only being up two. Rollins would escape as Earl Lawrence would miss both free throws. A 62 percent foul shooter Lawrence would miss the first and then have to intentionally miss the second. The Tars would grab the rebound and Uhle would nail a pair of free throws to seal the victory.
The Tars will be right back in action Saturday when they face Paine. Tip time is set for 2 PM.
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