Matchup:
Rollins (7-13) at Palm Beach Atlantic (7-10)
When:
Wednesday, February 4, 2015 - 7 p.m.
Where:
Rubin Arena - West Palm Beach, Florida
Rollins men's basketball takes a much-needed break from Sunshine
State Conference play and travels to Palm Beach Atlantic for a 7
p.m. game on Wednesday, February 4. The Tars are trying to break
out of an eight game losing streak while the Sailfish have won two
of their last four. 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 hard luck season
continued last Saturday, falling to Lynn 65-63 in Warden Arena. Of
the Tars nine conference losses, six are by four points or less. Jeff
Merton poured in a career-high 23 points to go along with six
rebounds. The freshman scored 18 in the first half and ended the
day 9-of-16 from the field with four 3-pointers. Sharif Almull
added 12 points, six rebounds and two assists while Kyle
Koszuta put up 11 points off the bench.
Alex
Blessig is the Tars top scorer with 10.9 points a game, ranking
20th in the conference. He is also sixth in the league
with 4.0 assists a game and third with 2.3 steals a night. Chris
Uhle is getting 10.4 points an outing with Almulla and Merton
each scoring 9.7 a game. Merton is also the Tars top rebounder,
hauling in five a game.
Tars coach Tom
Klusman (Rollins '76, '78MBA) is in his 35th-year leading the
program and carries a 630-367 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.
PALM BEACH ATLANTIC AT A GLANCE: The Sailfish
have dropped their last two, but own wins over SSC schools Saint
Leo and Nova Southeastern this season. They last faced third-ranked
Florida Southern on Saturday, falling 93-67 at home. Evin Graham
led the way with a double-double, recording 13 points and 10
rebounds. Clayton William scored 15 points and Garet Tucker added
10. PBA trailed by just seven at the half.
Graham leads the team with 13.1 points a game while also
grabbing 5.6 rebounds a night. Ronnell Ross adds 11.2 a night and
Tucker is averaging 10.1 points. Ross also adds 7.1 rebounds a
game. PBA is scoring 63.5 a game and allowing 65.9 a night.
David Balza (Michigan '91) is in his second season leading the
Sailfish. He is 15-29 with PBA after coaching stops at Bethany
Lutheran, Florida Gulf Coast and Saint Joseph's College.
THE SERIES: Rollins is ahead in the all-time
series 22-3 over the Sailfish. The Tars have taken each of the last
seven meetings, including an 89-61 decision in Winter Park earlier
in the year. Alex
Blessig led the Tars with 17 points, Jeff
Dirkin added 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and a pair
of blocks. Dakota Zinser was the top scorer for PBA with 17 points.
Garet Tucker added 15 points.
NEXT UP FOR ROLLINS: Rollins is on the road
Saturday, February 7, traveling to Saint Leo for a 4 p.m. matinee.
The Lions beat Rollins 57-54 in overtime earlier in the season.
Fans can catch all the action live on the Geico Tars Sports Network
at RollinsSports.com.
