Matchup:
Rollins (7-8) vs. Palm Beach Atlantic (7-11)
When:
Wednesday, January 22, 2014 - 7 p.m.
Where:
Rubin Arena - West Palm Beach, Fla.
Rollins will travel down Florida's Turnpike for the third time
in seven days, taking on Palm Beach Atlantic Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The Tars have dropped three straight and need a win heading back
into Sunshine State Conference play Saturday. PBA comes into the
game having won two of its last three. Fans who can't make it to
the game can catch 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 are looking to
avoid their first four-game losing streak since the 2004-05 season.
The last time out, Rollins' offense never got on track in a 54-46
loss at Nova Southeastern. Mitch Woods was the lone Tar in double
figures, putting up 14 points. Rollins shot just 30 percent from
the field and trailed 23-15 at the half.
Woods is scoring 12.9 points a night to lead the Tars. The
senior also puts up three assist a game and leads the team with 31
steals. Alex Blessig is averaging 9.3 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.1
assists a game. Adam Allen is scoring 8.9 a game on the season,
while averaging 19.3 points in three career games against PBA. Jeff
Dirkin leads the Tars on the glass, hauling in 5.9 boards a
game.
Rollins has the nation's seventh-ranked scoring defense,
surrendering just 61.8 points a game. They are netting 66.2 points
on the other end. The Tars are getting outrebounded by nearly two a
game, but are forcing 1.6 more turnovers than they commit.
Tars coach Tom Klusman (Rollins '76) is in his 34th-year leading
the program and carries a 617-349 career record. 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.
PALM BEACH ATLANTIC AT A GLANCE: The Sailfish
started their season against Rollins and are 3-7 against the SSC on
the year. PBA is coming off an 87-64 win against Trinity College of
Florida on Saturday. Ian Sitz and Evin Graham each scored 13 to
lead the way.
Graham is the top producer on the season, putting up 12.9 points
and 6.9 rebounds a game. Clayton Williams adds 10.5 points while
Marcus Hardy is getting 9.9 points a game.
The Sailfish are scoring 72.4 points a game and allowing
74.5.
David Balza is in his first season leading Palm Beach Atlantic,
after spending the two previous seasons at Bethany Lutheran
College. His coaching career includes starting the men's basketball
program at Florida Gulf Coast, spending 10 years leading the
Eagles.
THE SERIES: Rollins is 20-3 all-time against
Palm Beach Atlantic. They met earlier this season in Winter Park
with the Tars scoring an 83-61 victory. Adam Allen led the way for
Rollins with 20 points while Mitch Woods put up 17. Evin Graham
paced PBA with 13 points, four rebounds and five assists. Clayton
Williams added 10 points.
NEXT UP FOR ROLLINS: Rollins returns to Winter
Park on Saturday, Jan. 25 to host Barry in Sunshine State
Conference action. Tipoff is set for 4 p.m. at Warden Arena.
