SAINT
LEO, Fla. (March 5, 2006) ' The Rollins College women's basketball
team was on the losing side of the scoreboard for the first time
this season as they fell victim to the Spartans of the University
to Tampa 56-47 in the Sunshine State Conference Tournament finals.
The loss ends the Tars chances for a perfect season, dropping them
to 28-1 overall, while Tampa , the second seed in the tournament,
improves to 24-6.
'
It
was a rough afternoon for the Tars' offense, shooting a season low
23.4 percent from the field (18-77) while facing a Tampa team that
shot 42.1 percent from the field (24-57), a season high against the
tough Tars' defense. Rollins was able to out-rebound the Spartans
56-38, but could force Tampa into only five turnovers, a season low
for the Tars.
'
Three
players were in double figures for the Tars, led by senior Joslyn
Giles (Winter Haven, Fla.) with her sixth double-double of the
season, 10 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Randi Weiss (Kissimmee,
Fla.) and sophomore guard Jennifer Musgrove (Palm Bay, Fla.) both
had 10 points and senior Sally Johnston (Winter Springs, Fla.)
added seven.
'
The
tournament Most Outstanding Player Tampa guard Tay Mathis led her
team with 18 points, while Shaneisha Walton recorded a game high
eight blocks.
'
The
game started well for the Tars as they went up by as many as five
points in the first half, but Tampa connected on their final two
shots of the first half and took a one point advantage into the
break, 23-22. The Spartans opened the second half on a mission to
shut down the Tars and kept Rollins off the scoreboard for the
first five minutes of the half, building a 14 point advantage,
36-22. The Tars did not panic and came back to cut the lead to five
with 8:13 to play. Tampa then pulled the lead out to 11 points,
only to see Rollins pull it back in again to five, 50-45 with 1:39
to play after a Musgrove three-pointer. That was as close as the
Tars would get as a lay-up and four free throws sealed the victory
for Tampa .
'
For
their play in the tournament both Giles and Musgrove were named to
the All-Tournament team.
'
With
the conference championships over, the Tars will now look forward
to the NCAA Regional tournament. Selection for regionals will take
place on Sunday, March 5, with the highest seed hosting the
tournament. Rollins will be looking for an at-large bid to the
tournament as Tampa took the conference automatic bid with their
win.
