WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 24, 2014) - A close
first half gave way to a blowout in the second as Rollins snapped a
three-game losing streak in a big way, beating the University of
Puerto Rico Bayamon 83-57 Monday night.
All 11 players in uniform scored for Rollins (3-3), led by four
in double-figures. Freshman Jeff
Merton set a new career-high with 13 points to go along with
six rebounds. Scott
Schuette and Mike
Bedulskis each netted 12 while Jeff
Dirkin scored 11.
The Tars were just 9-of-25 from the field in the first half, but
the missed only nine shots in the second (20-29), finishing the day
53 percent (29-54) shooting. The Cowboys shot 43 percent (22-51).
Rollins outrebounded Bayamon 32-29 and forced 22 turnovers while
committing 14.
Dirkin gave Rollins a 5-2 lead with an early 3-pointer, but the
Cowboys answered with a 7-0 run and led 9-5 after five minutes of
play.
The Tars regained the lead and this time built a 16-9 advantage
after a Sam
Philpott triple midway through the half ,only to see Mayaguez
come back and snag a 17-16 advantage just four minutes later.
The game then saw five more ties and five lead changes the rest
of the half until a Joey
Galvis free throw put the Tars ahead 31-30 at intermission.
Bayamon scored the first two buckets of the second and the Tars
appeared to be locked in a close battle, but a Chris
Uhle 3-pointer and scores from Merton, Dirkin and Alex
Blessig put Rollins ahead for good.
It was just a three-point game with 14 minutes to play. Rollins
closed the book, however, with a scoring outburst and led 67-45
with 7:54 on the clock.
Bayamon would get no closer than 17 the rest of the night.
Rollins will have a quick turnaround, meeting Puerto Rico
Mayaguez at 2 p.m. Tuesday, November 26. Fans can watch the action
live on the Geico Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com.
