For Tom Klusman and the Rollins College Tars it was a welcome sight to see a team that struggled so much on the offensive end a season ago scoring at will to open the 2015-16 season. The Tars would hang on for a 95-87 win over the Paine Lions in the opening game of the SSC/SIAC crossover. It was the second consecutive year the Tars knocked off Paine opening weekend.
Rollins (1-0) was led by four players in double figures. Sharif Almulla paced the Tars with a career high 24 points- the junior from Timber Creek High School went seven of 14 from the field- including four of seven from the 3-point line. Almulla was a perfect six of six at the free throw line. He also had six rebounds. Alex Blessig picked up where he left off last season. The senior had 18 points- four rebounds- and four assists. Sophomore sensation Jeff Merton added 14 points and seven rebounds- while James Ferrell added 14 to go along with a team high six assists.
The Tars shot 47 percent from the field in the win. They shot 33 percent (8-24) from the 3-point line. The Tars also were solid at the free throw line, where they shot at a 88 percent clip (37-42) on the day. The Tars had 18 assists and turned the ball over 25 times.
The Lions (0-1) were led by four players in double figures as well. Denzell Dillingham scored 21 points to lead the way. He did not shoot the ball well though. Dillingham was seven of 21 from the field, including six of 17 from the 3-point line. He was also one of three at the foul line. Yusef Riley
and Kaderious Compton each chipped in 11. Patrick Petty added 10 points, six assists and five rebounds. Paine shot 39.5 percent from the field in the loss. They struggled from the 3-point line, where they shot 28 percent (10-36) on the day. As well as at the free throw line where they shot 68 percent (17-25.) Paine edged the Tars on the boards 42-41. They had 14 assists and 16 turnovers.
It was the Tars who got out of the gates quickly in this one. Merton would give them a double digit lead just over eight minutes in. The Tars would open up a 14 point lead (25-11) after a Mike Bedulskis layup with just 9:24 to go in the opening half.
The Lions would come roaring back with a 17-4 run of their own to cut the Tar lead to one (29-28) after a Dillingham 3-pointer with 3:51 to go. After a little back and forth action, Dillingham would nail another 3-pointer to tie the game with a little over a minute to go in the half. The Tars would rattle off the next six points to take a 45-39 lead into the locker room.
The Tars would stretch the lead to 11 in the early stages of the second half after a pair of Bedulskis free throws. Paine would once again have an answer. This time it was a 12-0 spurt that would give the Lions a 58-57 lead with 12:56 to go.
The game would go back and forth for the next several minutes until the Tars took the lead for good after four Ferrell free throws at the 7:35 mark. Ferrell was fouled, making both, and then Petty was hit with a technical as well. The Lions would get within one with 3:35 to go, but that is as close as they would get.
The Tars will be back in action Saturday for day two of the SSC/SIAC crossover hosted by Florida Tech. This time a 2 PM tip against Clark-Atlanta. Florida Tech and Paine will follow. You can catch all the action on the Geico Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com and locally on 91.5 FM WPRK Winter Park.
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