Rollins will look to avoid a three-game losing streak to close
the season and deny Florida Southern the Sunshine State Conference
title as the Tars visit the Mocs Saturday. The Tars dropped their
last two, both at home, where they went just 3-5 on the year in the
conference. Away from Warden Arena, Rollins has been tough with a
record of 7-1. FSC can grab a share of the conference title with a
win against the Tars; a loss gives Saint Leo the outright crown.
Since a nine-game winning streak, the Mocs are 2-3 over their last
five. Fans can listen to all the action live on the Tars Sports
Network at RollinsSports.com and locally on 91.5 FM WPRK.
ROLLINS AT A GLANCE: The Tars (17-8, 9-6 SSC)
went 3-4 in the month of February and hope the turn of the calendar
brings a new confidence. Rollins appeared to be on the upswing
after two close road wins at Lynn and Nova Southeastern, but
returned home to drop its last two. SSC champion Saint Leo bested
Rollins 76-60 and then Barry spoiled senior day, 70-68 in overtime.
Adam Allen led Rollins with 15 points off the bench. Kyle
McClanahan and Mitch Woods each netted 14 while Chris Uhle chipped
in 12.
McClanahan is ninth in the SSC and leads Rollins with 14.8
points a game. He is third in the SSC in shooting (57 percent) and
third in assists (4.7 ppg). Dave Diaktie is 14th in the
SSC with 12.7 points and ranks sixth in rebounds with 6.4 boards a
game. Allen is third on the team with 10.6 points a night.
The Tars offense is fifth in the conference with 71.1 points a
game and allows a SSC second-best 65.5 points a night. Rollins tops
the league in shooting (46 percent) and blocked shots (4.4 bpg). On
the boards, Rollins is fourth in the conference outrebounding teams
by 2.7 a game.
No. 14 FLORIDA SOUTHERN AT A GLANCE: The Mocs
(20-5, 12-3 SSC) can take advantage of a Saint Leo upset and stake
a claim to the conference title with a win against the Tars. Its
last time out, FSC stopped a two-game losing streak after beating
Tampa 77-57 on Wednesday. Five Mocs scored in double figures, led
by 15 each from Seth Evans and Kevin Capers. Lamar McKnight added
13, Brett Bailey 12 and Dominique Williams 10.
Evans is sixth in the SSC with 15.4 points a night, due in large
part by conference best 76 three-pointers. Dominic Lane adds 14.4 a
game. Bailey leads the league in shooting (59 percent) and nets
10.7 points a game.
Southern has the SSC's top offense, scoring 85.7 points per
game. They are on the opposite end of the spectrum on defense,
allowing a conference-worst 74.1 a night. The Mocs are the best in
the SSC at taking care of the ball, forcing nearly seven more
turnovers than they commit.
LAST MEETING: January 30 - Fla. Southern 97, Rollins
74 - In a much-hyped battle between two ranked rivals and
for sole possession of first place in the Sunshine State
Conference, No. 19 Rollins fell to ninth-ranked Florida Southern,
97-74. Kyle McClanahan led the Tars with 18 points, shooting
9-of-11 from the field. Adam Allen netted 13 with Dave Diakite
adding 12 points and seven rebounds. The Mocs were paced by a
game-high 22 points from Dominic Lane. Seth Evans hit five
3-pointers and two free throws en route to 17 points with Brett
Bailey chipping in 15 and Lamar McKnight 14.
THE SERIES: Rollins trails in the all-time
series against Florida Southern 113-53. The Tars won in its last
trip to the Jenkins Field House, beating the Mocs 76-71 on Jan. 28
of last season. Rollins has played Florida Southern more than any
other team.
THE COACHES: Rollins leader Tom Klusman
(Rollins '76) is in his 33rd year at the helm of the program and
carries a career record of 607-338. He is one of five active
coaches in Division II with 600 career wins and is just the 15th
all-time to reach the milestone. Linc Darner (Purdue '95) has led
the Mocs for the last seven seasons and holds a career record of
149-65.
