Rollins Back at Home to Host Fla. Tech

Matchup:
Rollins (9-17, 2-12 SSC) vs. Florida Tech (14-12, 4-10 SSC)

When:
Wednesday, February 25, 2015 - 7:30 p.m.

Where:
Warden Arena inside the Alfond Sports Center

Rollins opens the final week of the regular season Wednesday hosting Florida Tech at 7:30 p.m. The Tars are in a must-win situation to stay in the postseason play conversation. Rollins is two games out of the final spot in the SSC Tournament with two games remaining. Tech is in a virtual three-way tie for sixth and is also in need of a victory to cement its place on the bracket. 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 had a two-game winning streak stopped by Tampa on Saturday, 73-63. Jeff Dirkin had a career day, posting 24 points to go along with eight rebounds, three blocks and two steals. He was 10-of-14 from the field and drained all three 3-point attempts. Alex Blessig added 12 points and six rebounds. Jeff Merton scored 11 and Sharif Almulla netted 10.

Blessig ranks 14^th in the SSC and leads Rollins with 11.9 points a game. The junior is also getting 3.7 assists and a league third-best 2.2 steals a game. Merton is the second leading freshman scorer in the conference and is putting up 10.7 a game. He also tops the Tars with five rebounds a night. Sharif Almulla is scoring 10.4 points an outing and Chris Uhle, who missed two games due to injury, scores 9.7 a night and ranks third in the SSC with 41 blocked shots.

Rollins has the second-ranked defense in the Sunshine State Conference, allowing just 68.9 points a game. The Tars are getting 68.3 points on the other end and are the SSC's second best shooting team at 47 percent from the field.

Tars coach Tom Klusman (Rollins '76, '78MBA) is in his 35th-year leading the program and carries a 632-341 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 11^th in total victories. Klusman has won eight Sunshine State Conference titles, four Sunshine State Conference tournaments and made eight NCAA Division II Tournaments.

FLORIDA TECH AT A GLANCE: The Panthers have dropped four of their last five, with the victory coming against fourth-ranked Barry, 88-72. Tech also took top-ranked Florida Southern to overtime before falling by three. Their last time out was a 77-71 loss at Nova Southeastern on Saturday. Jermaine Jackson led the way with 18 points while Chris Carter put up 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Caleb Wigginton scored 15.

Carter leads the Panthers and is ninth in the conference with 14 points a game. Corbin Jackson is averaging 13.3 points and a conference leading 10 rebounds a game. The junior is third in the league in shooting (64 percent) and leads the conference in blocked shots (76). Jermaine Jackson is scoring 11.7 a night and Jordan Majors is chipping in 10.8 a game.

Tech is fourth in the SSC in offense, putting up 75.7 a game, but are ninth in defense by allowing 76.1 a game.

Billy Mims (The Baptist College '81) is in his 10^th season leading FIT and carries a 152-133 record in Melbourne.

THE SERIES: The Tars lead the all-time series 60-27 against the Panthers. They last met on January 21 in Melbourne with Tech taking a 69-65 win. Alex Blessig led Rollins with 17 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals. Jeff Merton added 13 points and Chris Uhle went for 12 points and seven rebounds. Corbin Jackson tallied 15 points and 13 rebounds to lead Tech. Chris Carter had a triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. Caleb Wigginton scored 15 points off the bench.

NEXT UP FOR ROLLINS: Rollins finishes up its regular season on Saturday, February 28, hosting top-ranked Florida Southern at 4 p.m. The Tars gave the Mocs all they could handle earlier this year before falling 74-70 in Lakeland. Prior to the game, seniors Jeff Dirkin, Scott Schuette and Chris Uhle will be honored. Fans can follow all the action live on the Geico Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com and locally on 91.5 FM WPRK.