WINTER PARK, Fla. (December 4, 2019) – A potential game-tying three-pointer in the final seconds was off the mark for Rollins as the Tars lost to Embry-Riddle 66-61 in its Sunshine State Conference opener.
Rollins (6-2, 0-1 SSC) had a late lead slip away but nearly came all the way back before falling short. Embry-Riddle (4-2, 2-1 SSC) scored 23 fourth-quarter points to get past the Tars.
Jaylyn Harrison, Taniyah Pluviose, Rachel Lia and Paris Sharpe each netted nine to lead the way for the Tars. Sharpe also grabbed six rebounds and Lia added five rebounds and three assists.
Nicole Tucker led the Eagles and all scorers with 19 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals. Sarah Jones and Shelby Bischoff both netted nine.
After falling into an early 6-0 hole, Rollins rattled off a 14-0 run in the middle of the first to take control. They led 16-13 after the first 10 minutes and built the advantage to 36-24 by halftime
ERAU chipped away in the third and pulled to within 49-43 heading into the fourth.
The Tars went cold from the field and Embry-Riddle took advantage, grabbing a 58-53 lead with 4:07 to play. Rollins trailed by as many as six with three minutes to play, fought back and pulled to within 62-61 after a Pluviose three-point play.
Rachel Murry made good on a pair of free throws to make it a three-point game but Harrison's deep three-pointer with nine seconds left was off the mark and the Eagles held on for the win.
Rollins shot 43 percent in the game and saw the Eagles hit 55 percent from the field. Neither team took care of the ball well with ERAU getting hit for 23 turnovers and the Tars 22.
Rollins will look to bounce back on Saturday, December 7 when they travel to Tampa to take on the Spartans in another SSC match-up. Tip off is set for 2 p.m. at the Martinez Center. Fans can follow the action live on the Tars Sports Network at RollinsSports.com and locally on 91.5 FM WPRK.
