Nze, Figueroa Spark Tars First Conference Win.

 Jah Nze and Omar Figueroa combined for 45 points as the Rollins College Tars found the win column for the first time in Sunshine State Conference play with a 84-78 win at Warden Arena. Rollins snapped a brief two game losing streak and improves to 5-4 and 1-3 in the SSC. Tampa falls to 4-4 and 0-3 in the SSC after Saturday's loss. 

 It was a slow start for both teams on the offensive end. After Jackson Gaffney made a layup at the 15:25 mark of the opening half Rollins held a brief 7-5 advantage. Tampa would then go on a 15-0 run as the Spartans would get hot from long range. A Trey Lane triple at the 10:51 mark would give UT a 20-7 lead. Rollins would battle back and get to within one (33-32) at halftime. The Tars shot 46.4 percent from the field, 20 percent (2-10) from the 3-point line, and 80 percent (4-5) at the free throw line in the half. The Spartans shot 40 percent from the field, 41.2 percent (7-17) from the 3-point line, and 40 percent (2-5) from the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes. 

 The Spartans maintained the lead after a quick five points to open the second half. Rollins got to within one (43-42) after a Matus Malovec triple and a Mayson Quartleblum layup with 14:57 to go. The Tars would tie the game at 47 on a Nze trey with 13:02 on the clock. The game was knotted at 52 before a Ryan Renfro layup and three Figueroa free throws made it a five point Rollins lead. Figueroa and Nze both connected from long range to extend the Tars lead to eight (65-57) with 8:22 to go. The Rollins lead grew to double digits on a pair of Renfro free throws (73-63) with 4:49 to go. Rollins would hold off a late push by the Spartans in the final minute to secure the six point win. 

 Nze led the way with 29 points and five assists, Figueroa knocked down three triples on his way to 16, Renfro added 11, and Quartlebaum notched 10. Rollins shot 50 percent from the field, 30 percent (6-20) from the 3-point line, and 87.5 percent (28-32) from the free throw line. The Tars won the rebounding battle 35-30. They also had 14 assists and 17 turnovers in the contest. 

 Tampa was paced by 26 points and 10 rebounds from Ryan Blount while Trey Lane added 22. The Spartans shot 42.4 percent from the floor, 37 percent (10-27) from the 3-point line, and 60 percent (18-30) at the free throw line. 

 Rollins will be back in action Monday when they host South Florida Bible at Warden Arena at 6 PM. 

 Other SSC Scores: 

Palm Beach Atlantic 88 Nova Southeastern 83 

Lynn 107 Florida Southern 74 

Embry-Riddle 77 Barry 70 

SSC Standings: 

Palm Beach Atlantic 4-0 (9-0) 

Nova Southeastern 3-1 (6-1) 

Lynn 3-1 (7-2) 

Florida Southern 2-1 (9-2) 

Embry-Riddle 2-1 (4-4) 

Eckerd 1-2 (5-3) 

Florida Tech 1-2 (4-5) 

Saint Leo 1-2 (4-5) 

Barry 1-3 (4-5) 

Rollins 1-3 (5-4) 

Tampa 0-3 (4-4)