Fifth-seed Rollins looks to reach the SSC Tournament
championship for the 11th-time in school history while
also solidifying its bid to NCAA play, meeting top-seed Saint Leo
Saturday in the semifinals (5 p.m. tip off). The Tars shook off a
three-game losing streak and beat Florida Tech 57-42 in the event's
first quarterfinal Friday. The Lions were slow to start against
ninth-seed Tampa, but came out with a 68-55 victory. Top seeds
advanced on the other side of the bracket with third-seed Eckerd
facing second-seed Florida Southern in the final semi Saturday.
Fans can listen to all the action live on the Tars Sports Network
at RollinsSports.com and locally on 91.5 FM WPRK. Live streaming
video is available at SunshineStateConference.com.
ROLLINS AT A GLANCE: The Tars (18-9) improved
its record to 10-2 away from the home, beating Florida Tech 57-42
early Friday. Senior Dave Diakite was sensational, scoring his
third double-double of the season with 18 points and 10 rebounds,
while also handing out six assists. Mitch Woods tallied 13 points
and seven rebounds while Kyle McClanahan added 12 points and six
boards.
McClanahan, a All-SSC first team selection, is ninth in the SSC
with 14.9 points a game. He is the second-best shooter in the
league, hitting 58 percent from the field, while ranking third in
assists with 4.6 a night. Daikite is netting 12.9 a game to sit
14th on the conference scoring chart. He leads Rollins
and is sixth in the SSC with 6.6 rebounds a night. Adam Allen is
the only other Tar averaging in double figures, netting 10 a
game.
Rollins is fourth in the SSC with 70.7 points a game while the
defense is second to Saint Leo, holding opponents to 65 a night.
The Tars are the best shooting team, hitting 47 percent from the
field, and are also tops in blocks with 4.4 rejections a game.
The Tars are now 31-29 all-time in SSC tournament play. The Tars
last reached the semifinals in 2011, beating Tampa en route to the
SSC title. The Tars have won the title four times, most recently
back-to-back championships in 2010 and 2011.
SAINT LEO AT A GLANCE: The SSC regular season
co-champion Lions (21-6) advanced to the semifinals by way of a
68-55 win over Tampa on Friday. It was a two-man show for Leo as
SSC Newcomer of the Year Jerrell Harris netted 21 and SSC Player of
the Year Marcus Ruh added 20.
Ruh is fourth in the conference with 14.4 points a game, while
also averaging 5.3 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.0 steals. He is the
SSC's best 3-point shooter, hitting 48 percent from beyond the arc.
Harris scored 14.9 a game to sit 10th in the conference.
He is also a huge outside threat and has knocked down 75 triples on
the year. Trent Thomas, a All-SSC second teamer, is scoring 13.0 a
game while Shaun Adams leads the team on the glass, hauling in 6.7
boards a game.
Leo is tied for fifth in the SSC with 70 points of offense a
night, but leads the conference in defense, allowing just 62.3 a
game. Only twice in league play the Lions surrendered more than 70
points.
Saint Leo has never won the Sunshine State Conference
Tournament.
LAST MEETING: February 23 - Saint Leo 76, Rollins
60 - Just like its previous match-up with Saint Leo,
Rollins fell into an early hole and couldn't climb out as the Tars
lost to the 20th-ranked Lions 76-60. Scott Schuette was 5-of-9 from
3-point range and 2-of-2 at the free throw line to lead Rollins
with a career high 17 points. His previous best was 14 set against
Saint Leo a year ago. Kyle McClanahan added 14 points, four
rebounds and four assists while Adam Allen tallied 13 points and
seven rebounds. Jerrell Harris poured in a game-high 23 and added
seven rebounds to pace Saint Leo. He was just 5-of-12 from the
field, but enjoyed a 10-of-10 night at the stripe. Trent Thomas
tallied 15 points off the bench with Shaun Adams netting 13.
FIRST MEETING: January 26, Saint Leo 79, Rollins
54 - Rollins made just one field goal in the first nine
minutes while Saint Leo couldn't miss as the 17th-ranked Tars were
upset on the road, 79-54. The loss was the Tars' first in SSC play
as they are now tied with Florida Southern for first place. The
Mocs will visit Winter Park on Wednesday, Jan. 30 in what is sure
to be a classic between the two rivals. Kyle McClanahan led Rollins
against Saint Leo, pumping in 15 points, while Adam Allen added 12.
Jeff Dirkin tallied eight points and eight rebounds. Jerrel Harris
led Saint Leo (13-4, 6-2 SSC) with a game-high 26 points on
10-of-16 shooting, including six 3-pointers. Marcus Ruh netted 25
with Trent Thomas scoring 10.
THE SERIES: Rollins owns the all-time series
over Saint Leo 79-17. The Lions snapped a 28-game losing streak
against the Tars in the first match-up earlier in the year. Rollins
is 6-1 all-time against Saint Leo in the SSC Tournament. They last
met in the 2010 quarterfinals as the Tars won 73-67.
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 607-339. 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. Lance Randall (Beloit '94) is in
his second year at the helm of Saint Leo after leading the Lions to
the NCAA Tournament in his first season and winning the SSC title
in his second.
