Rollins Win Streak Halted At Four.

Even in defeat the Rollins Tars went down fighting. After being down seven in the games final 73 seconds the Tars rallied and after a late steal had a chance to win late but ultimately fell 63-62 to Saint Leo inside Warden Arena. With the loss Rollins fell to 8-4 and 2-2 in the SSC. The Lions improved to 9-4 and 3-2 in the SSC after the victory in Winter Park.
 Connor McKim knocked down five 3-pointer's and poured in a game high 20 points. The senior had a chance to win it the final seconds but his shot was off the mark as time expired. Jakobi Bonner scored 18 points- and- Kyle Marion netted a career high 12 in the defeat. The Tars shot 42 percent as a team in the contest- and- out rebounded the Lions 30-27. Both teams struggled holding onto the ball in this one-with the Tars turning it over 17 times.
 It was a slow start offensively for both teams as Saint Leo would lead 14-7 halfway thru the opening stanza. Rollins could not get going offensively and trailed by 12 (29-17) at the intermission.
 Bonner led the Tars with nine in the opening half- while Trevor Recio tallied four. The Tars shot 33 percent from the field- 17 percent (1-6) from the 3-point line- and- 50 percent (2-4) from the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes. Each team tallied 12 rebounds in the half. Rollins had just two assists- to go along with 12 turnovers in the opening stanza.
 Down by 12 with 15:33 remaining the Tars rattled off an 11-0 run to pull within one (37-36.)  The Tars tied the game on a pair of occasions but Saint Leo regained the lead 46-44 with 6:39 to go. Isaiah Hill knocked down a 3-pointer and Wade Croomer- along with Rusty Moore stretched the Lions lead to 55-44 with 4:59 to go.
 Rollins went on a run of their own to get to within two (59-57) with 30 seconds to go. McClure hit a pair of free throws for Saint Leo- but McKim would knock down three free throws after a foul to once again cut the lead to one (61-60.)  McClure hit a pair of free throws to put Saint Leo back up by three with 21 seconds left. Recio cut the lead to one before the frantic final seconds. Saint Leo turned the ball over as McKim jumped the passing lane just past half court. The Tars look at the buzzer would not go as time expired.
 The Lions were led by Hill with 20- Moorer netted 18- and- McClure tallied 13. The Lions shot 48 percent as a team- 46 percent (11-24) from the 3-point line- and- 89 percent (8-9) at the free throw line. They had 17 assists- and- 19 turnovers as a team.
 Rollins will be back in action Saturday as they travel to Miami Shores for a Saturday afternoon SSC tilt with Barry. Tip time is set for 4 PM.
Other SSC Scores:
Florida Southern 86 Florida Tech 79
Palm Beach Atlantic 81 Tampa 64
Barry 88 Embry-Riddle 77
Nova Southeastern 100 Eckerd 82
SSC Standings:
Florida Southern 4-1 (12-1)
Barry 4-1 (10-2)
Nova Southeastern 3-1 (9-1)
Embry-Riddle 3-2 (11-2)
Saint Leo 3-2 (9-4)
Palm Beach Atlantic 2-2 (9-3)
Rollins 2-2 (8-4)
Eckerd 2-2 (6-6)
Lynn 1-3 (5-5)
Florida Tech 1-4 (7-6)
Tampa 0-5 (3-10)