Rollins Posts Comeback Win over Clark-Atlanta

ATLANTA, Ga. (November 11, 2016) - Trailing by as many as 12 in the second half, Rollins used a late-game offensive explosion to beat Clark-Atlanta 69-60 in the 2016-17 season opener Friday.

Sam Philpott led the way with 18 points while Deion Clark, Joey Galvis and Jeff Merton each scored 13. Clark also hauled in 12 rebounds and Galvis recorded five assists.

Derek Harper led CAU with 13 points off the bench. Shamiek Sheppard and Tim Sanders both netted 12.

Rollins moves to 1-0 on the year while the Panthers drop to 0-1. The game was played as part of the annual Sunshine State Conference/Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Crossover. Morehouse is serving as host this in the rotation this season.

• Sam Philpott (RC): 18 pts., 8-17 FG

• Deion Clark (RC): 13 pts., 12 rbs.

• Joey Galvis (RC): 13 pts., 5 asst.

• Jeff Merton (RC): 13 pts.

• Derek Harper (CAU): 13 pts.

• Tim Sanders (CAU), Shamiek Sheppard (CAU): 12 pts. each

• Both teams miss their first three shots; a Mike Bedulskis bucket nearly three minutes in started the scoring for the Tars.

• The lead changed four times in the first half; Rollins never led by more than two.

• Rollins shot just 10-of-36 (28 percent) in the first half; CAU went 12-of-35 (34 percent).

• Clark-Atlanta led at halftime, 36-27.

• Philpott scored seven in the first half to lead Rollins; Sanders scored 10 for CAU.

• Rollins saw its biggest deficit of the game with 18:41 to play, trailing 39-27, and again with 12:42 left, 48-36.

• The Tars went on a 13-3 run over three minutes in the middle of the second and closed the gap to 51-49 with 9:27 left.

• Clark tied the score at 53 with 7:38 to play; Rollins led 54-55 a minute later after a Philpott lay-in.

• Merton hit a 3-pointer with 5:15 left to put the Tars up for good, 58-57.

• Rollins ended the game on a 14-3 run.

• Field Goal Shooting: Rollins 25-64 (39 percent); CAU 19-64 (29 percent)

• 3-point Field Goal Shooting: Rollins 7-23 (30 percent); CAU 5-26 (19 percent)

• Free-throws: Rollins 12-21 (57 percent); CAU 17-29 (58 percent)

• Rebounding: Rollins 42; CAU 52

• Turnovers: Rollins 19; CAU 25

• Rollins scored 30 points off turnovers; CAU 16

• The game saw 10 lead changes and one tie

• Rollins is now 3-0 all-time against Clark-Atlanta.

• Rollins has won its last three season-openers and nine of the last 10.

• The Tars are now 5-0 all-time in the SSC/SIAC Crossover

• True freshmen Connor Mckim (2 pts) and Jakobi Bonner (6 pts) both played their first collegiate game Friday.

Rollins returns to the court Saturday, November 12 to face host Morehouse. Tip-off is set for 4:30 p.m. Morehouse beat Florida Tech 79-68 in their season opener Friday. Fans can watch it all live on the Geico Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com and locally on 91.5 FM WPRK.