'TAMPA , Fla. (January 18, 2006)'-
Point guard Jonny Reibel poured in a career high 25 points and led
Rollins to a huge 67-60 road victory over the University of Tampa
on Wednesday. The sophomore was 6-11 from the floor (4-8 three
pointer) and 9-10 from the charity stripe while adding six
rebounds, five assists and four steals.
'
Isaac Codrey and John Thinnes each rolled up nine points for
Rollins with Deon Troupe chipping in seven.
'
It
was the Rollins (10-5; 4-2 SSC) defense, however, that stole the
show as the Tars held Tampa's (12-4; 3-2 SSC) Sunshine State
Conference best offense, that averages just under 80 points per
contest, to just 19 points in the first half and 60 for the
game.
'
Mark
Borders paced the Spartans with 18 points with Marcus Bright and
Jeremy Black each netting nine.
'
Rollins set the tone early as back to back three pointers from
Kevin Hogan gave the visitors a 20-5 advantage with 9:15 left in
the first half. Borders then came out of a UT timeout and drained a
three of his own and after a Kevin Byrd layup and Shane Thorson
long ball, cut the Rollins lead to 22-13. The Tars held tough and
ended the period on an 11-2 run to take a 36-19 lead into the
locker room.
'
The
Tars were hot from the floor, shooting 55 percent (11-20) in the
period while holding the Spartans to just 28 percent (8-29),
including just 2-14 from beyond the arch.
'
Rollins' lead ballooned to 20 points early in the second half after
a Reibel long range bomb put the Tars up 45-25. Bright answered
with a three on the Spartan's ensuing possession and cut into the
lead, but Tampa suffered a big loss on the Tars next trip down the
floor. Starting forward Christopher Evans, who had gathered six
rebounds, was whistled for a foul before getting involved in a
scuffle in front of the Rollins bench. The big man was ejected from
the game for throwing a punch, which left a huge hole in the middle
of the floor with just 13:38 left in the game.
'
After things calmed down, Tampa began to battle back and shaved the
Rollins lead to just nine points, 62-53, with just 90 ticks left on
the clock after Bright's third trey of the game. Solid defense and
made free throws down the stretch for the Tars preserved the big
victory enabled Rollins to keep pace in the SSC.
'
The
Tars won the rebounding battle 32-31 and forced 16 Tampa turnovers
while committing 14.
'
Rollins will be back in action on Saturday, January 21 at Barry
University in game two of their three-game road trip. Tip off is
scheduled for 2 p.m. in Miami Shores .
