WINTER PARK, Fla. (December 6, 2008) –
Rollins halted their two-game losing streak and handed No. 17
Florida Southern their third straight defeat as the Tars took an
85-72 thriller from the Mocs Saturday in the Sunshine State
Conference opener for both schools.
The win moves Rollins to 4-2 overall and 1-0 in SSC play while
reeling Florida Southern falls to 6-4, 0-1.
Jeremy Sharpe led five Tars in double-figures with 19 points and
a game-high six assists. Nick Wolf added 16 points and eight
rebounds off the bench while Zach Pancratz chipped in 11. Julian
Wilkison set a new career high with 12 points and Kevin Hogan
netted 10.
Zach Smith led the Mocs offense with 15 points and eight
rebounds while John Thompson chipped in 13 off the bench. Braxton
Williams and Brandon Jenkins each tallied 10 points with Rob
Eldridge pulling down a game-high 11 boards.
The Tars swarming, half-court defense was the story of the night
as they held FSC to just 35 percent (22-62) shooting from the field
and just 18 percent (6-34) from 3-point range. Rollins shot 54
percent (30-56) from the floor and 33 percent (6-18) from long
range.
The Moccasins owned the glass, building a 48-32 rebound
advantage on the night.
Florida Southern jumped out to a 6-0 lead early until Wolf came
off the bench to spark a Tars 16-3 run and put the hosts up 16-9
halfway through the period. Rollins wouldn't relinquish the lead
the rest of the night. The advantage went to as much as 13 late in
the half on a Sharpe backdoor lay-up and was 11, 40-29, at the
half.
Hogan tipped-in a Wolf miss and hit a 3-pointer the Tars next
trip down the floor to push the advantage to 16, 57-41 with 13:47
left. Rollins lead ballooned to as much as 18 twice, late in the
second half and the Tars hit their free throws down the stretch to
get back on the winning track.
The Tars will take next week off for finals and will be back on
the court December 15 at home against Southeastern at 7:30 p.m.
Fans can catch all the action live on the Citizens Bank of Florida
Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com and locally on 91.5 FM,
WPRK.
