MELBOURNE, Fla. (January 29, 2022) – The Rollins women's basketball team struggled early on Saturday, falling behind 17-6 after one quarter in a 67-61 loss at Florida Tech. With the loss the Tars fall to 5-13 overall and 2-11 in conference play, while the Panthers improve to 3-15, 1-12 in SSC contests.
Niya Pluviose led the Tars with 16 points on 7-of-13 shooting and pulled down a game- and career-high eight rebounds.
Yoke Tassent added 15 points, making 4-of-7 three-point attempts, in addition to grabbing seven rebounds.
Lucy Leen chipped in with 10 points and a team-leading five assists.
Aiste Vaitekunaite poured in a game-high 20 points on a perfect 7-of-7 shooting, including 4-of-4 from behind the art, while Severine Uggen added 15 points on 5-of-8 three-point shooting in 23 minutes off the bench. Hannah Roney tallied 11 points and a game-high seven assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
First Quarter
- Rollins took an early 3-2 lead on a Leen three just 88 seconds into the game, but that would prove to be the only made field goal for the Tars in the first quarter, as Rollins shot 1-of-14 from the field in the period.
- Florida Tech answered with a three 19 seconds later to take a 5-3 lead, which sparked a 12-0 run that pushed the Panthers to a 14-3 advantage.
- The Tars made three free throws in the final four minutes of the quarter, but Florida Tech held a 17-6 lead at the end of the first ten minutes.
Second Quarter
- The Panthers hit an early three to build their lead to 20-6.
- With 5:58 to play in the half, Florida Tech capped a 6-0 burst to extend the margin to 17 points (26-9).
- Rollins picked up its defensive intensity, holding the Panthers scoreless while forcing five turnovers as part of a 10-0 run to close out the half trailing by just seven points (26-19).
Third Quarter
- The Tars scored back-to-back triples to open the second half, trimming the deficit to a single point (26-25) just 1:18 into the third quarter.
- Rollins kept it close throughout the quarter, trailing by just six points (47-41) at the end of the frame.
Fourth Quarter
- Florida Tech worked to get its lead back to double-digits, which it did on a three with 4:09 to play, putting the home team ahead 57-47.
- The Panthers maintained a comfortable lead until a 5-0 burst brought Rollins within five (63-58) with 48 seconds to go.
- A Leen three cut it to four (65-61) with 14 ticks left.
- Florida Tech hit its free throws down the stretch, converting all four attempts in the final 25 seconds, helping the Panthers hand on for a 67-61 win.
UP NEXT:
Rollins will return home to host Florida Southern on Wednesday, February 2. That game is set to start at 5:30 p.m. at Warden Arena.
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