Rollins Falls To #3 Nova Southeastern

 For a team like Rollins College to beat a team like #3 Nova Southeastern just about everything has to fall into place. Rollins hung with the Sharks for much of the game but a tough night from leading scorer Jah Nze was the undoing of the Tars. Rollins ended up falling to 9-7 on the year and 3-5 in the SSC after a 91-73 loss against Nova Southeastern at Warden Arena. The Sharks improved to 11-1 and 6-1 in the SSC as they handed Rollins just their second home loss of the season. 

 It was Rollins that got off to the quick start on Saturday. A layup by Omar Figueroa, three free throws by Nze, and layup my Mayson Quartlebaum gave the Tars a 7-1 lead at the 17:19 mark of the first half. After Jackson Gaffney knocked down two free throws Rollins led 14-3 with 15:32 until halftime. NSU would battle back and take the lead 22-17 after a 19-3 run. A jumper by Dallas Graziani and a triple by Ross Reeves accounted for that score. Nova saw its lead grow to 14 (34-20) on a Eli Allen layup with 6:44 in the first half. It would be the Tars that would fight back this time and knot the game at 41 after a pair of Figueroa free throws. NSU would take the lead after two Graziani free throws gave them a 43-41 lead heading into halftime. Rollins shot 40 percent from the field, 41.7 percent from the 3-point line (5-12) and 94.1 percent (16-17) from the free throw line in the opening 20 minutes. NSU shot 42.4 percent from the field, 33.3 percent (5-15) from the 3-point line, and 76.9 percent (10-13) from the free throw line in the opening stanza. 

 Rollins would tie the game at 50 after a Ricky Ghedini layup with 13:54 on the clock.NSU would go on a 10-2 run to open up an eight point lead (60-52.) Rollins would counter with a 7-0 run of their own as Figueroa and Ghedini each hit a triple to make it 60-59 NSU with 8:53 to go. An 8-0 run by the Sharks gave them more separation. Rollins would get to within six (68-62) on a Marshall Klug free throw but that is as close as they would get the rest of the way. The #3 Sharks would flex their muscles late to put this one away. Ghedini led three Rollins players in double figures with 16 points, Figueroa added 15, and Jackson Gaffney netted 11. Rollins shot 37.3 percent from the field, 33.3 percent (9-27) from the 3-point line, and 86.7 percent (26-30) from the free throw line in the loss. They had 15 assists and 21 turnovers in the contest. They also won the rebounding battle 35-31. 

 NSU was led by Graziani and Reeves who each had 23, Bobby Rosenberger added 14, and Jaxson Nap tallied 10. The Sharks shot 49.2 percent from the field, 35 percent (7-20) from the 3-point line, and 74.3 percent (26-35) at the free throw line. NSU had 16 assists and nine turnovers in the contest. 

 Rollins will be back in action on Saturday (1/17) when they battle #8 Palm Beach Atlantic. Tip time is slated for 4 PM. 

Other SSC Scores: 

Barry 83 Tampa 82 (OT) 

Florida Southern 81 Florida Tech 73 

Embry-Riddle 101 Lynn 79 

Palm Beach Atlantic 93 Saint Leo 69 

SSC Standings: 

Palm Beach Atlantic 6-1 (14-1) 

Nova Southeastern 6-1 (11-1) 

Florida Southern 5-2 (13-4) 

Embry-Riddle 5-2 (8-6) 

Lynn 5-3 (10-5) 

Tampa 3-4 (9-5) 

Rollins 3-5 (9-7) 

Eckerd 2-5 (8-6) 

Barry 2-5 (7-8) 

Florida Tech 2-6 (6-10) 

Saint Leo 1-6 (6-9)