Tars Hold On Late to Lord Over Royals

WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 22, 2021) – The Tars jumped out to big first half lead and held on down the stretch to start their Thanksgiving week with a victory over the Warner Royals.  The Tars improve to 4-1 overall, while Warner sits at 6-1 on the year.
 
Kyle Marion led the Tars with 24 points on the night.  The junior went 5-5 from deep to spur the victory.  Hutton Yenor poured in a season high 21 points, going a perfect 6-6 from the charity stripe.  Cody Potter added 12 points, going 3-4 from three.  Brooks Cluxton, Will Erickson, and Matej Susec each picked up ten rebounds to lead the team.  As a team Rollins shot 13-24 (54.2%) from deep.
 
Joseph Martz tallied 20 for the Royals, including a 5-9 night from behind the arc.  Blaize Darling Jr., Logan West, and Darryl Mercer Jr. also net double digits for Warner.  Darling Jr. also added a game high eight boards.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Half

• Threes by Kyle Marion and Dayton Gumm got Rollins going early, scoring back-to-back threes as the Tars scored the first 12 points of the game.
• The Royals grew into the game, cutting the Rollins lead to six at 14-8, but the Tars recovered their early form with a Hutton Yenor three and a Cade Long layup, as the Tars' lead never shrunk into single digits for the remainder of the half.
• Brooks Cluxton slammed home a dunk just before the eight minute media timeout, as Rollins doubled up Warner 30-15.
• A Will Erickson three gave Rollins a 22 point lead at the 1:41 mark, before Warner netted the final four points of the half; and Rollins went into the locker room with a 18 point lead.

Second Half

• The teams traded baskets for the first portion of the second half.  A pair of Yenor free throws with 16:53 on the clock restored Rollins 20 point advantage.
• A three pointer and a layup from Sergey Grishaev ballooned the Tars' lead to a game high 25, at 55-80, with 6:18 on the clock.
• The Royals found their shooting stroke down the stretch, as they went on a 25-5 run to bring the Rollins lead down to five, at 85-80.
• A fast break layup, from Yenor, off a long inbound pass sealed the game away for Rollins late, clinching the win.

UP NEXT:
Rollins will return to action tomorrow, Tuesday, November 23, as they host Southeatern in Warden Arena.  Tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
 
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