WINTER PARK , Fla. (January 30, 2006) The Rollins College men's
basketball team withstood a furious second half comeback to beat
the Florida Tech Panthers in overtime, 81-77. The Tars (14-5, 8-2)
held a 64-44 lead over Florida Tech (3-16, 0-9) with 8:01 to play.
But the Panthers went on a 27-7 run over the last eight minutes to
send it to overtime. The Tars managed to pull it out in the extra
session as they went 6-7 from the foul line to win the game
81-77.
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With
the victory and an Eckerd loss to Tampa , Rollins moves into sole
possession of second place in the Sunshine State Conference. They
trail conference leader, Lynn, by only one game.
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Junior guard John Thinnes led all scorers with his 22 points while
also grabbing a career high 11 rebounds and dishing out three
assists. Junior guard Deon Troupe netted 16 points on 4-9 shooting.
Sophomore point guard Jonny Reibel had 13 points, eight assists,
and five rebounds. And junior forward Isaac Codrey added 12 points
and five rebounds on 4-4 shooting.
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Sophomore guard E.J. Murray led the way for the Panthers with his
21 points. Murray was 7-12 from downtown. Senior forward Ryan
Maultsby added 20 points on 4-8 from three point range. And senior
guard, Brad Rich added 19 points on 5-15 shooting from three point
range.
'
E.J.
Murray began the game hot from beyond the three point line as he
hit his first three, three minutes in to put the Panthers up 7-4.
The Tars would go on a 16-2 run over the next nine minutes to push
a lead of their own out to 20-9 on a Kevin Hogan three. The Tars
would keep the pressure on and go in at the half up 33-21.
'
Rollins went right at the Panthers in the second half. The Tars
extended their lead to twenty points in the first four minutes of
the second half on a John Thinnes jump shot to make it 47-27. It
was 64-44 with 8:01 to go when Florida Tech made its move. Brad
Rich, E.J. Murray and Ryan Maultsby then went on a three point
spree. Over a five and a half minute span, the Panthers went on a
22-4 run. Rollins led 70-69 and had two separate chances to put the
Panthers down three, but missed free throws allowed them another
chance. The Panthers sent the game to overtime on a lay-in by Ryan
Maultsby with six tenths of a second left on the clock.
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Rollins came out tough in the overtime, this time knocking down its
free throws. The Tars went 6-7 from the line in the extra session.
Rollins outscored the Panthers 10-6 in overtime and went on to win
the game, 81-77.
'
The
Panthers finished the game 16-38, 13-22 in the second half, from
beyond the arc for a stellar 42 percent.
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The Tars will be back in
action on Wednesday February 1, when they will travel to Saint Leo
to battle the Lions. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 pm.
