Matchup:
Rollins (8-16, 1-11 SSC) at Nova Southeastern (9-13, 5-8
SSC)
When:
Wednesday, February 18, 2015 - 7:30 p.m.
Where:
The Arena at the Don Taft University Center - Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla.
For the first time this season, Rollins has a chance to win
back-to-back Sunshine State Conference games, traveling to Nova
Southeastern for a 7:30 p.m. tip. Rollins is coming off a win
against Eckerd to get its first SSC win of the season and snap an
11-game losing streak. The Sharks have lost their last three, all
to nationally-ranked opponents. Fans can follow all the action live
on the Geico Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com and listen
locally on 91.5 FM WPRK.
ROLLINS AT A GLANCE: The Tars snapped their
longest losing streak in decades on Saturday, beating Eckerd 70-59.
Rollins was in control nearly the entire game, leading for more
than 31 minutes. Alex
Blessig led the way with 20 points, six assists and four steals
in all 40 minutes. Sharif
Almulla added 16 points while Mike
Bedulskis tallied 11 points and six rebounds. The win gives
Rollins a fighting chance at qualifying for the SSC Tournament in
March.
Rollins is third in the conference in defense, allowing 68
points a night, but ranks eighth in offense with 67.7 points a
game.
Blessig is the top scorer for the Tars on the season, getting
11.3 a game. The junior is also averaging 3.8 assists and 2.4
steals an outing. Jeff
Merton is 20th in the league with 10.3 points a game
and leads the Tars (16th in SSC) with five rebounds a
night. Almulla scores 10.1 a game and Chris
Uhle is averaging 10 points a night, but has sat out the last
two games due with an injury.
Tars coach Tom
Klusman (Rollins '76, '78MBA) is in his 35th-year leading the
program and carries a 631-340 career record. He has the fourth most
victories among active Division II coaches, trailing only Herb
Magee of Philadelphia, Bob Chipman from Washburn and Tampa's
Richard Schmidt. All-time, Klusman ranks 11th in total
victories. Klusman has won eight Sunshine State Conference titles,
four Sunshine State Conference tournaments and made eight NCAA
Division II Tournaments.
NOVA SOUTHEASTERN AT A GLANCE: The Sharks have
dropped three in a row and sit fifth in the SSC standings, on the
cusp of a top-seed. NSU gave sixth-ranked Barry all they could
handle on Valentine's Day, falling 79-71 in overtime. Chris Page
poured in 25 points and grabbed eight rebounds to highlight the
Sharks. Harrison Goodrick added 11 points and Stian Berg scored
10.
Page is third in the league in scoring, putting up 19.2 a game,
while also handing out 2.9 assists a night and grabbing 1.9 steals.
Goodrick is scoring 10.3 a game with Justin Jengerard putting up
10.2 points and 5.6 rebounds a night.
NSU leads the conference in 3-point shooting, hitting 38 percent
from long range. They are scoring 69.9 a game and allowing 70.2
Gary Tuell (Louisville '73) is in his 11th-season
leading the Sharks and is 133-155 at the helm.
THE SERIES: Rollins is on top in the all-time
series, 29-10. NSU has won three of the last four match-ups,
including a 55-53 decision in Winter Park earlier this season. Alex
Blessig was the only Tar in double figures with 18 points. Chris
Uhle added eight points and three blocks. The Sharks got 19
points from Chris Page while Stian Berg added 11 points, seven
assists and six rebounds. Rollins led 28-27 at the half, and
trailed by nine in the final two minutes before coming back to make
it close in the final seconds.
NEXT UP FOR ROLLINS: Rollins next travels to
Tampa on Saturday, February 21 for its last true road game of the
season. Tip off is slated for 4 p.m. at the Martinez Center. UT
beat the Tars 82-71 earlier in the season.
