WINTER
PARK , Fla. (February 22, 2006) The Rollins College men's
basketball team clinched at least a share of the Sunshine State
Conference regular season title in their home finale against
Florida Southern College, 76-68. The Tars (20-6, 12-3) shot 55
percent from three point range and held the Moccasins (16-10, 7-8)
to 46 percent from the floor for the win.
'
For
Rollins head coach, Tom Klusman, this was win number 455 and the
championship marks the fifth time in his 26 years that the Tars
have captured the regular season SSC crown. The Tars were picked to
finish seventh in the conference during the preseason. But with a
win Saturday, they could finish alone atop the standings.
'
The
Tars got a big performance from sophomore point guard Jonny Reibel.
Reibel led the team with 23 points on the night on 8-11 shooting
from the floor including 6-8 from the 3 point line. Junior forward
Isaac Codrey went for 14 points and four assists on 5-8 shooting
from the floor. Junior guard John Thinnes netted 10 points and five
assists. And reserve guard Kevin Hogan added eight points and five
assists on the evening.
'
Florida Southern was led by forward Michael Simms who buried six
treys in route to a 24 point night, 18 of which came in the first
half. Guard Dale Parsons also added 12 on 4-10 shooting from beyond
the arc.
'
Both
teams started sluggish out the gate, combining for only 30 points
in the game's first 10 minutes. However, John Thinnes ignited a
massive Rollins run of treys at the 9:01 mark. Thinnes' three was
followed by a Hogan jumper, which was followed by three straight
threes by Jonny Reibel in three straight trips down the floor.
Rollins doubled up the Mocs 24-12 over a six minute stretch.
Florida Southern would answer with a barrage of threes of their own
by Simms and Parsons to cut the lead down before the half. Rollins
led at the midway point 46-37.
'
The
two teams felt each other out like two fighters throwing jabs for
the first several minutes of the second. At the ten minute mark,
Southern made its move and cut the game to three at 58-55 on a
jumper by Andrei Grant. The Tars answered with 15-8 run capped off
by a ferocious two handed back door slam by Isaac Codrey. The Tars
would add a few more in garbage time and walk away with a 76-68
victory.
'
The
Tars will now look to claim the SSC crown outright as they travel
down to Fort Lauderdale for a match-up with Nova Southeastern. The
tip is scheduled for 7:30 pm. The Tars defeated the Sharks at home
earlier this year 71-68 in a close battle.
