AT A GLANCE - Ranked ninth in the nation and
atop the NCAA Division II South Region, Rollins welcomes rival
Florida Tech to Winter Park for a huge Sunshine State Conference
matchup. A Tars win against the Panthers guarantees the Blue and
Gold at least a share of the 2011-12 SSC title and allows two
chances to claim the outright crown next week with a pair of South
Florida road games. Rollins is riding a five-game winning streak,
most recently dispatching Lynn 67-59 on Wednesday. Ashley Jones netted 17 points to lead the Tars while
Sarah Blackburn added 12 points and five
rebounds. During its streak, Rollins has beaten its opponents by 20
points a night, scoring 72 a game and holding teams to just 52. On
the season, Glenn Wilkes Jr. has the defense ranked atop the SSC
and eighth in the country, surrendering just 52.6 points and
ranking 30th in Division II with nearly 12 steals a game. On the
other end of the court, Rollins puts up 67 points a game and is
ninth in the nation at caring for the ball, turning it over just 14
times a game. Rollins is a perfect 14-0 at Warden Arena this season
and will be looking for its first perfect home record since the
2008-09 season...Florida Tech (16-8, 7-7 SSC) has played four games
in Warden Arena this season, taking part in both Rollins
Thanksgiving Classic and Rollins Holiday Classic tournaments and
going 3-1. The Panthers are 4-1 in their last five games and beat
Barry 62-56 on Wednesday. Kayk Wilson led the way with 13 points
off the bench while Ida Gustafsson added 11. FIT leads the
conference in scoring with 68 points a game, with the defense
ranking seventh in the SSC (58 ppg). Florida Tech is one of the
best rebounding teams in the nation, leading the SSC and ranking
eighth nationally by out-rebounding opponents by nearly 10 a game.
The Panthers are 3-5 in true road games on the season.
THE STARS - Ashley Jones is scoring nearly 12 points a game to
lead Rollins while Kourtnie Berry adds 8.7 a night. Paris Moore nets 7.7 points and leads the conference
with 2.6 steals a game. Kristina Mingos is the top rebounder at 4.7 a night
while Sarah Blackburn hauls in 4.2 a game...Ashton
McClairen leads Florida Tech with 13.4 points a game. Briauna
Hagins chips in 10.9 points while adding 11.9 rebounds a night,
leading the SSC and ranking seventh in Division II.
THE COACHES - Glenn Wilkes Jr. (Stetson '81) is in his 26th season
leading the Tars and has built Rollins into a SSC powerhouse and
national contender year in and year out. His career record of
574-184 is the 39th best mark among active coaches in all divisions
and the seventh most victories among Division II active
coaches...Fellow veteran John Reynolds (Brockport State '76) is at
the helm of FIT for the 25th season. His career record
of 448-252 stands as the 13th most wins among active
Division II Coaches.
THE SERIES - Rollins leads the all-time series
over Florida Tech 39-21. Earlier in the season, FIT pulled out a
last-second 64-62 win in Melbourne. Ashley Jones led Rollins with 12 points while Sharnae
Ivery and Kayk Wilson each netted 11 for Tech.
