WINTER PARK, Fla. (January 10, 2009) –
Nick Wolf recorded his third double-double in the last four games,
rolling up 18 points and 12 rebounds, to lead Rollins in a 70-64
overtime win against Tampa Saturday.
The Tars extended their six game winning streak and improves to
11-3 overall and 4-0 in Sunshine State Conference play. The
Spartans fall to 7-5, 1-2 SSC and lose to Rollins for the first
time since January 18, 2006.
Wolf was just 4-for-11 from the field, but connected on 9-for-12
from the free throw line. Kevin Hogan shot 3-for-6 from 3-point
range and 6-for-9 from the stripe to tally 17 points. Craig Reichel
added 15 points and six boards with Zach Pancratz posting 14 points
and four assists.
Johnathan Ball recorded a game-high 23 points to lead the
Spartans with Rashad Callaway and Fred Woods each netting 12.
It was a game of attrition on offense with both Rollins and
Tampa suffering through off shooting nights. The Tars hit 18-of-47
(38 percent) from the floor while UT shot 24-for-66 (36 percent).
Rollins won the game at the free throw line, hitting 29-of-40 (72
percent) for the game, including 7-of-9 in overtime.
Long scoring droughts dotted the first half with Rollins running
out to 14-5 lead over the first five minutes, but not scoring
another field goal until a Hogan 3-pointer with 10:19 left in the
period to make the score 19-10. Both schools then went ice cold
with neither scoring over the next four plus minutes. Callaway hit
a jumper to make the score 19-12, but Rollins posted a 7-0 run to
push the lead to 26-12 with 90 seconds left. A Pancratz jumper with
just two ticks left send the game into the half with Rollins ahead
29-17.
In the second half, Tampa chopped away at the Tars advantage and
knotted the score at 44 with eight minutes left. After a Reichel
free throw, Glyn Hunter hit a 3-pointer to give UT a 47-45 lead,
their first of the game, with 6:49 to go. Rollins regained control
and pulled ahead by eight 56-47 with under three minutes to go, but
a 3-pointer by Anthony Labruno, dunk by Ball and 3-pointer by
Callaway knotted the score at 56 with 96 ticks left in regulation.
Reichel connected on a pair from the line to put Rollins back up,
but Woods scored for Tampa on the other end to again tie the score.
Reichel was again at the line with 35 seconds left and missed both
to give Tampa the final shot. A Labruno 3-point try went begging
and the game headed to extra time.
The score was tied at 62 with 1:28 left in overtime until
Reichel was fouled slashing to the basket, making both the lay-in
and free throw to put the Tars up three. The defense stood strong
and the Tars made 5-of-6 from the stripe down the stretch to hold
on for the win.
Rollins will be on the road in their next two contests, starting
with a Wednesday, January 14 trip to Lynn. Tip-off is slated for
7:30 p.m. from Boca Raton. Fans can catch all the action live on
the Citizens Bank of Florida Tars Sports Network at
RollinsSports.com.
