Nze,Klug Combine for 27 But Rollins Cooled Off At Eckerd

 The Rollins College Tars came into the McArthur Center Wednesday as one of the hottest teams in the SSC but were no match for the Eckerd College Tritons in a 82-56 loss. Jah Nze and Marshall Klug combined for 27 points as the Tars fell to 9-6 and 3-4 in the SSC. Eckerd improves to 8-6 and 2-5 in the SSC as four players tallied double figures in the win. 

 The two teams traded baskets early in this one as the game was tied at 10 after Nze connected on a free throw at the 14:43 mark of the first half. Eckerd then took control as the Tars could not find the basket as the Tritons went on 16-0 run over the next 6:30 minutes. The next Rollins field goal would not come until an Nze layup at the 6:32 mark of the half. Rollins would trim the lead to nine (36-27) after a Matus Malovec triple and a Mason Quartlebaum layup at the 1:28 mark of the first half. It was 38-28 in favor of the Tritons at the half. Rollins shot 39.1 percent from the field, 20 percent (2-10) from the 3-point line, and 61.5 percent (8-13) at the free throw line in the opening stanza. Eckerd shot 44.8 percent from the field, 33.3 percent (4-12) from the 3-point line, and 61.5 percent (8-13) from the free throw line in the first 20 minutes. 

 Eckerd stretched the lead out a little further early in the second half. They had a 51-35 lead after a basket by Ollie Pasque with 14:53 to go. The Tars would not get the lead below double digits the rest of the way as Eckerd would expand the lead the rest of the way. Nze paced the Tars with 15 while Klug added 12, and Quartlebaum added seven. For the second straight game the Tars lost the rebounding battle. They shot 34 percent as a team, 20.8 percent (5-24) from the 3-point line, and 65.5 percent (19-29) from the free throw line in the loss. The Tars had seven assists and 19 turnovers in the contest. 

 Eckerd was paced by Wyatt Triestman with 19 points and 10 rebounds, Carlos Cortijo added 17 to go with seven assists, as both Timothy Thompson and Miguel Llompart notched 11. The Tritons shot 45 percent from the field, 30.8 percent (8-26) from the 3-point line, and 69 percent (20-29) from the free throw line. They had 15 assists and 11 turnovers. EC also won the rebounding battle 41-32. 

 Rollins will be back in action Saturday when they battle Nova Southeastern at Warden Arena. Tip time is slated for 4 PM. 

Other SSC Scores: 

Tampa 99 Saint Leo 91 

Palm Beach Atlantic 70 Embry-Riddle 66

 Lynn 85 Florida Tech 72 

Florida Southern 97 Barry 84 

SSC Standings: 

Palm Beach Atlantic 5-1 (13-1) 

Nova Southeastern 5-1 (10-1)

Lynn 5-2 (10-4) 

Florida Southern 4-2 (12-4) 

Embry-Riddle 4-2 (7-6) 

Tampa 3-3 (9-4) 

Rollins 3-4 (9-6) 

Eckerd 2-5 (8-6) 

Florida Tech 2-5 (6-9) 

Barry 1-5 (6-8) 

Saint Leo 1-5 (6-8)