FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. (March 15, 2013) - A
defensive battle came down to a final stop for Rollins as the
fifth-seed Tars beat fourth-seed Lynn 45-44 in the first round of
the NCAA Division II South Region Tournament Friday night.
Rollins (22-8) will next meet top-seed and host Nova
Southeastern in the semifinals at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 16.
Ashley
Jones was the lone Tar in double-figures as nine different
players scored for Rollins. Jones was 4-of-9 from the field and hit
a pair of triples for 10 points. Sarah
Taylor added eight points while Tera
McDaniel recorded five points, three rebounds, three assists
and two steals.
Zachara Bailey pumped in five 3-pointers and netted 19 points to
lead Lynn (18-10). Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year
Kira Harvey added 15 points and seven rebounds while Charla
Nelson-James hauled in 12 boards.
Rollins never led by more than three points the entire night in
a game that saw five ties and 11 lead changes.
The Tars took more than five minutes to score their first field
goal, but the Fighting Knights struggled as well as Lynn led 12-5
with 11:54 to play in the first.
Rollins took control with a 10-0 run over the next 4:36 and led
15-12 before taking a 20-17 advantage into the break.
In the second, offense continued to come at a premium, but Lynn
built a 37-33 lead with 8:48 to play. Jumpers by Ashley
Losch and Marie
Gilbert tied the score at 37 before a Tanisha Bailey lay-in at
the 4:20 mark gave LU a 39-37 lead.
Jones hit a huge 3-pointer on the ensuing possession, but it was
followed by a Bailey triple to give Lynn the lead. Jones then put
Rollins ahead for good with a 3-pointer with 3:19 to play.
Rollins led 45-44 at the 2:39 mark and had three opportunities
to extend the lead, but came up short on each occasion. However the
defense held strong as the Tars maintained the lead.
The game came down to a final play as Harvey attempted a
game-winning shot but her contested look was off the mark and
Rollins advanced to the regional semifinals.
Nova Southeastern beat Clark Atlanta 85-60 in the first round
Friday evening. The Tars lost to NSU twice in the regular season,
but won 83-80 in the SSC Tournament semifinals last week.
Fans can listen to the Tars against the Sharks live on the Tars
Sports Network at RollinsSports.com.
