Tars Claim Victory Against Mercyhurst

WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 27, 2021) – The Tars capped Thanksgiving week with a hard fought, 56-48, win over Mercyhurst on the final day of the 2021 Rollins Classic.  With the victory the Tars improve to 3-3 overall, as they conclude their non-Sunshine State Conference season.  The Lakers drop to 1-5 overall.
 
Lucy Leen led the Tars with 13 points off the bench.  The sophomore went 2-2 from behind the arc, and 7-8 from the free throw line.  She also grabbed a game high four steals.  Niya Pluviose and Erin Leigh each chipped in nine points.  Silvia Lasarte Garcia and Yoke Tassent each recorded six rebounds.  The Tars' bench was vital throughout the contest, as Rollins substitutes outscored the Lakers' 33-7.
 
Grace Centrulla tallied a double-double, with 17 points and 13 rebounds, going 7-13 from the field.  Emily Shopene added nine points, while Jayde Boyd earned nine boards.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter

• The Lakers jumped out to an 8-2 lead before a Lucy Leen three pointer cut the deficit to three at the halfway point of the quarter.
• A pair of Niya Pluviose free throws cut the lead to one, at 8-7, at the 3:49 mark.
• The Lakers grew their lead 12-7, before Pluviose hit a last second running layup to send the teams into the first break with the scoreboard showing 12-9

Second Quarter

• Yoke Tassent hit a three pointer to open the second quarter and tie the score.
• The teams traded baskets for most of the quarter, with Isabella Prada hitting a jump shot to draw the scores level at 21-21.
• Rollins grabbed their first lead on a pair of Leen free throws with one minute remaining in the half, but the Lakers responded with a three pointer to take a 24-23 lead into the break

Third Quarter

• The Lakers grew their lead to six over the first half of the third period.  But, an Erin Leigh jump shot cut the lead to four, and kickstarted a Tars run.
• Back-to-back threes from Prada and Leen gave the Tars the lead back at 35-32.
• Leigh hit a three to close the quarter, and give the Tars a 40-36 lead heading into the final frame.

Fourth Quarter

• The Tars were clutch from the free throw line in the fourth quarter, responding to every Laker score with a pair of points of their own.
• Mercyhurst cut the lead to two with a minute remaining.  But the Tars went 6-6 from the line, and locked down their defense, as the time winded down, clinching the win

UP NEXT:
Rollins will return to SSC action on Wednesday, December 1, when they will host Embry-Riddle at Warden Arena.  Tip off is slated for 5:30.
 
Fans can follow the Tars all season long at RollinsSports.com. Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest #TARnation news by following Rollins Sports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.