FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (February 25,
2006) ' In a season that has
seen the Rollins College women's basketball team soar to new
heights, the team finished the 2005-06 campaign doing what no other
basketball team has done in the history of Rollins basketball;
finish the regular season undefeated. With a 52-47 victory over
Nova Southeastern on Saturday evening, the Tars wrapped up the
season at a perfect 26-0 overall and 16-0 in the Sunshine State
Conference. The team will now head to Saint Leo, where the
conference tournament will take place, looking to keep their
perfect season alive and capture their third straight tournament
championship.
Senior
forward Joslyn Giles (Winter Haven, Fla.) led the Tars with 13
points while senior guard Sally Johnston (Winter Springs, Fla.) and
sophomore guard Jennifer Musgrove (Palm Bay, Fla.) each added 10
points. Senior guard Katie Cloud led the Sharks with 13 points and
senior guard Missy Guadagnino had 10.
Nova
(15-12, 8-8 SSC) was able to hold the Rollins offense in check all
game, never letting the Tars out of their sights. The largest lead
of the game for Rollins was nine points with 9:55 remaining in the
game. Once again, the Tars' defense was able to hold their
opponents to under 30 percent shooting on the night, holding the
Sharks to 28.6 percent (18-63). In the first half alone, the Sharks
could only manage 17.6 percent from the field, while Rollins shot
34.6 percent.
The
first half was a battle of rebounds, as both teams struggled from
the field. The home team held a 13-12 advantage with 8:20 to go in
the half before the Tars went on a 14-5 run prior to the break,
including scoring the last six points in the half.
Coming
out of the break, Nova held Rollins scoreless for the first five
minutes until Musgrove hit two free throws, putting Rollins up
28-26. The Tars then rallied and went up by seven points with 7:24
to play in the game. Nova kept the pressure on the Tars,
threatening to end their unbeaten streak and went on an 8-1 run
over the next three minutes to tie the game 44-44.
With
the undefeated streak on the line, Musgrove took control, scoring
five of the Tars next eight points. The teams traded free throws
and baskets to tie the game up 47-47 with 2:02 to play. After being
fouled by Eliza Allen, Johnston hit one of her free throws to put
Rollins up by one. Missed jumpers by Guadagnino and Cloud for the
Sharks and a missed three-pointer by freshman Jennifer Dyer (Wake
Forest, N.C.) kept the Tars up by one. Musgrove then connected on a
lay-up and one free throw on the next possession to give Rollins a
four point lead with 20 seconds to play. On the Shark's next
possession, Musgrove blocked a three-point attempt by Cloud,
sealing the victory. A final free throw by Musgrove gave the Tars
the 52-47 win.
On
the evening Rollins out-rebounded the Sharks 49-44 and forced them
into 18 turnovers.
With
the regular season complete, the Tars will now head into
post-season play, beginning with the conference tournament next
week. Opening round games will begin on Wednesday, March 1. With
the number one seed in the tournament, Rollins has a first round
bye and will play the winner of the Eckerd-Florida Southern game on
Friday, March 3. Game times will be set later this weekend.
