Tars Shooting Stroke Fails in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev. (December 18, 2021) – The Tars offense faltered, as Rollins dropped their second and final game in the Nevada desert, 59-40, against Montana State Billings.  The loss drops Rollins to .500, at 6-6 overall, on the year.  The Yellowjackets improve to 5-7.
 
Hutton Yenor led the Tars paltry offensive output with 12 points on 5-16 shooting.  Dayton Dumm added 11 points, going 4-10 from the field, including 3-8 from behind the arc.  Brooks Cluxton pulled in a game high 11 boards, despite the Yellowjackets out rebounding Rollins 40-25.
 
Carrington Wiggins led all scorers with 13.  Montana State Billings also got double digit scoring performances from Malik Brikat and Damen Thacker.  Thacker also dished out a game best seven assists.  Emmanuel Ajanaku grabbed 10 rebounds for the Yellowjackets.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Half

• The Tars and Yellowjackets battled back and forth to open play.  Montana State Billings grew an early edge to five, but a Dayton Gumm three pointer cut the deficit to just two, 12-10, at the first media timeout.
• The same trend would continue throughout the entire first ten minutes of the period.  Cody Potter sunk a corner three to slice the Yellowjacket lead to two, 15-17.  But Montana Billings would respond with a triple of their own to lead 20-15 at the midway point of the half.
• The Tars went cold after the second media timeout, going scoreless for more than five minutes, as the Yellowjackets grew their advantage to nine, at 24-15.  Brooks Cluxton finally ended the streak with a scooped layup at the seven minute mark.
• The Tars continued to struggle to make shots, but were able to stymie the Montana State Billings on the defensive end.  Sergey Grishaev tallied a three pointer to eliminate the first double digit hole the Tars faced, and keep Rollins in striking distance. The teams went into the final stretch of the half with the score 27-20.
• A late Hutton Yenor layup and a last second defensive stand ensure Rollins did not face a bigger deficit, as the Tars head to the locker room trailing 29-22

Second Half

• The Tars found their shooting stroke at the break, and started the second half on an 8-2 run, cutting the lead to just one, at 31-30.  Hutton Yenor made a pair of threes, then assisted Kyle Marion on a fast break layup.
• The Yellowjackets recovered from the Tars initial run, and never let Rollins take the lead.  After the two teams traded baskets, including a fast break layup from Tyler Woods, Rollins offense went ice cold, and Montana State Billings went on a 9-0 run to take a 12 point lead, at 44-32.
• Gumm stalled the run with a three pointer, cutting the deficit back to single digits. But, the Yellowjackets responded again, scoring seven straight to take a 16 point lead, 51-35.
• Rollins offense continued to struggle down the stretch, and the Yellowjackets regained their 16 point advantage.
• A desperation three, late in the shot clock, by Montana State Billings accounted for the only points either team would score in the final three minutes, as Rollins dropped the contest 59-40.

UP NEXT:
Rollins will take time off for their holiday break before returning to action with a New Year's Eve showdown against Sunshine State Conference rival Florida Southern.  Tip off is set for 4 p.m.
 
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.