Late Lead Slips in First Contest of the Year

WINTER PARK, Fla. (March 13, 2021) – The Tars let a second half lead slide away as they fell to Palm Beach Atlantic in their first action in 375 days.  The Sailfish took the contest 64-59, dropping Rollins to 0-1 on the year, while PBA improves to 2-6 heading into Sunshine State Conference Tournament action.
 
The Tars were led offensively by 10 points off the bench from Silvia Lasarte Garcia.  Seniors Rachel Jablonski and Rachael Lia tallied nine and eight points for Rollins.  Jablonski led the Tars in rebounds, grabbing nine, including five offensive rebounds.  Overall, the Tars won on the boards, collecting 35 rebounds to Palm Beach Atlantic's 30.
 
The Sailfish got 21 points from Avree Carpenter, who led all scorers.  The senior went a perfect 7-7 from the charity stripe.  Shekinah Guthrie tallied a double-double for PBA, dropping 12 points and pulling in 12 rebounds.
 
The two teams traded baskets for the first minutes, and the score was tied 10-10 beyond the halfway point of the first quarter.  Asia Newsome completed an and-one, as part of five consecutive points for the junior, and took Rollins lead to 15-10, with under two minutes remaining in the first quarter.  Rollins would close the period with a seven point advantage, 19-12.
 
Rollins would control most of the second quarter as well.  The Tars lead ballooned to 15 on the back of an old fashioned three point play by Rachel Lia.  However, led by four late points from Carpenter, the Sailfish cut the lead to eight entering the locker room.
 
The two teams battled evenly in the third.  A Kennedi Rodgers three at the halfway point of the quarter cut the lead to five, but Lasarte Garcia tallied the last four points of the frame, and Rollins head into the final period with a 10-point advantage.
 
The Tars lack of playing time started to show in the fourth.  After a pair of Newsome free throws made the score 51-40 in favor of the Tars, the Sailfish finished the game on a 24-8 run, that included 11 points from Carpenter.  PBA took their first lead under the three minute mark, and held off the Tars for the final moments.
 
UP NEXT:
Rollins heads into the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the SSC Tournament.  Seeding was determined by a blind draw.  On Thursday, March 18, Rollins will host the winner of the first round matchup between Palm Beach Atlantic and Florida Tech.
 
For the latest news, updates, and information on the Rollins softball team, fans can visit RollinsSports.com.  Fans can also stay up-to-date on the latest #TARnation news by following Rollins Sports on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram