LAS VEGAS, NEV. (December 18, 2005)
The Rollins College men's basketball team had a full head of steam
coming into today's match-up with the number 14 team in the nation,
Central Missouri State. The Tars (5-3) had won four straight games,
including a win yesterday against regional opponent Central
Arkansas. But that all came to halt, as the Mules (10-1) defeated
the Tars 89-55 in the Tars' final game of the High Desert
Classic.'
Junior guard, John Thinnes was the only Tar in double figures.
Thinnes finished with 12 points and three assists. Sophomore point
guard Jonny Reibel contributed nine points, six assists, and six
boards.'
Central Missouri State played a very physical game and kept the
Tars off balanced the entire evening. The game got out of control
in the second half as head coach Tom Klusman was angered by the
lack of calls and the overly aggressive play. Rollins was whistled
for five technical fouls in the game. Tom Klusman and forward Isaac
Codrey were both ejected from the game for arguing with the
referees.'
Rollins came out of the gate sluggish. The Tars failed to establish
an offensive rhythm from the get go, and allowed the Mules to gain
an early advantage. Central Missouri State gained a 23-11 lead with
9:05 left in the first on a three pointer by Michael Hicks. Over
the next seven minutes, the Mules would continue to pressure the
Tars and CMSU went on a 19-7 run to push their lead to 24. The Tars
went in at the half down 48-29.
The Tars started the second half with some good looks at the basket
that just wouldn't go down. Rollins toughened up on the defensive
end and limited their turnovers but still could not trim the lead.
Then at the 10:25 mark, Coach Tom Klusman was ejected for arguing
with the referees about the game's intense physical nature. The
bench was whistled with three technical fouls in one sitting. Mules
guard Michael Hicks hit five of the six free throws and put CMSU up
69-43. The Mules would pile it on at the end and take the game
89-55.
The Tars struggled on the boards against a very aggressive Mules
team. CMSU out-rebounded Rollins 42-31. The Mules forced 15
turnovers and capitalized on the Tars mistakes for 25 points.'
The Tars will travel back home and take a week off for the
holidays. Rollins will be back in action on December 29 for the
Winter Park Tangerine Tournament when they will face New Jersey
Tech. That game will begin at 6pm in Warden Arena.
