WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 25, 2017) – Playing a ranked team for the first time this season, Rollins posted a convincing 80-59 win over Caldwell to close the Tars Thanksgiving Classic.
The Tars (6-0) are ranked No. 7 in the WBCA Coaches Poll and No. 5 in the D2SIDA Media ranking. Caldwell (4-1) is No. 20 in the media poll.
Denise Daniels posted 17 points to lead the Tars, a day after recording a career-high 21 against Talladega. The sophomore from Orlando was 5-of-7 from the field and a perfect 11-of-11 at the free throw line. She also hauled in nine rebounds and handed out five assists.
Julia Ingler didn't miss a shot, going 6-of-6 from the field, including five 3-pointers for a season-best 17 points. Vernisha Andrews tallied 11 points while Carly McLendon grabbed 11 rebounds.
Kristen Drogsler scored 20 to lead the Cougars with Sharell Sanders adding 11 points.
The Tars shot an even 50 percent (31-62) from the field and outrebounded Caldwell 43-28. The Cougars knocked down 39 percent (24-62) from the floor and were just 7-of-21 from long range.
Coming off a strong finish the day before against Talladega, the Tars didn't let up and raced out to a 20-9 lead after Ingler's third three-pointer of the first quarter. Rollins would go on to lead 21-11 after one.
In the second, the Tars led 30-18 midway through the period and used a 5-0 run at the end of the frame to take a 41-22 lead into the break.
After going up by 23 (45-23) early in the third, Caldwell got as close at 50-34 with 3:10 left in the quarter. Rollins quickly stopped the thought of a Cougars comeback and extended its lead to 20 (58-38) by the end of the period.
Instead of cruising through the fourth with its big lead, Rollins kept up the intensity and pushed the advantage to 72-46 with 4:36 left in the game. The visitors from New Jersey would get no closer than 21 the rest of the way.
Rollins next takes its unbeaten record into a home, Sunshine State Conference game against Embry-Riddle on Wednesday, November 29 at 5:30 p.m. The Tars and Eagles are the last undefeated teams left in the SSC, both at 6-0. Fans can watch the action live on the Tar Sports Network at RollinsSports.com.
