Tars Open SSC Slate Hosting Rival Mocs

MATCH-UP:
Rollins vs. No. 6/4 Florida Southern

WHEN:
Saturday, November 19, 2016

LOCATION:
Warden Arena - Winter Park, Fla.

TIME:
1 p.m.

COVERAGE:

Video/Audio: GEICO Tars Sports Network (RollinsSports.com) and 91.5 FM WPRK in Winter Park
Play-by-Play: Robert Segal
WPRK Pregame/Halftime show with Austin David in studio

LIVE STATS: TarsStats.com

SET-UP:
Rollins will look to bounce back from its first loss of the season, hosting rival Florida Southern in the Tars 2016-17 Sunshine State Conference opener Saturday. After starting the season 2-0, Rollins dropped a last-second 60-58 decision at Embry-Riddle on Wednesday night. The Tars led 41-29 at the half, but couldn't hold off the Eagles down the stretch. Florida Southern is 3-0 on the season and coming off a 72-54 thrashing of Saint Leo Wednesday night. The Mocs ran out to a 35-12 lead at the break and never looked back. FSC won the NCAA Division II South Region last year and is ranked No. 6 in the WBCA Division II Coaches Poll and No. 4 in the D2SIDA Media Poll.

WHO TO WATCH:
Rollins: Forward Marie Gilbert continues to lead the Sunshine State Conference in scoring, averaging 17.7 points a game. The senior from Harmony, Florida is second in the league in field goal percentage (54-percent) and is also 8-for-16 from the 3-point line. Tanaya Jones is second on the team with 9.7 points per game and ranks sixth in the SSC with 3.7 assists a night. Julia Ingler averages 7.7 points a game and Brittany Betts is scoring 7.3 a night off the bench. Tiana Rosser (6.3 rpg) and Carly McClendon (6.0 rpg) are among the league leaders in rebounding. Rollins is fourth in the SSC in offense (68.7 ppg) and sixth in scoring defense (59.0 ppg).

Florida Southern: The Mocs rank 16^th in the country and lead the SSC in defense, allowing just 47 points a game. Jensen Blassage leads the way with 15.7 points a game while Gianna Vastola averages 11.7 points and a team-best 8.3 rebounds a game. Anja Fuchs-Robetin is putting up 11.7 points and 7.7 rebounds a night.

NOTES:
This is the 99th meeting between Rollins and Florida Southern with the series tied 49-49. The Tars have won seven of the last 10, but FSC took each of the three meetings last season. Most recently, 75-62 in the 2016 SSC Tournament Quarterfinals.

Glenn Wilkes Jr. is coaching in his 894^th career game at Rollins and holds a record of 665-228.

Julia Ingler is 13^th all-time in Rollins 3-pointers made with 109. She is seven away from tying All-American Larissa McDonough for a spot in the top-15. She is also 13^th all-time in percentage, hitting 37-percent from long range for her career.

Marie Gilbert ranks 17^th all-time in blocks with 49; 18 behind 16^th place.

Tanaya Jones continues to climb up the Tars all-time assist chart, sitting 15^th with 272 and needing sevento pass Jeri Ferree for 14^th place. She is also 12^th in steals with 192, nine behind Kim Tayrien for 11^th.

NEXT:
Rollins will next be in action after the Thanksgiving holiday, hosting a pair of NAIA teams at Warden Arena. The Tars will meet Webber International on Fri. November 25 at 2 p.m. and then host Warner on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 2 p.m. Fans can watch all the action live on the Geico Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com and listen live locally on 91.5 FM Winter Park.