COLUMBIA, SC (November 11, 2022) - The Rollins Tars got their season started off on the right foot with an exciting 85-83 win over Auburn Montgomery on Friday evening. This is the fourth straight season that the Tars opened their year with a win, with three of those four coming against the Warhawks. 

Coach Tom Klusman opted to run a small-ball lineup in this one, with only one starting Tar standing higher than 6'6". The gambit worked as guards Hutton Yenor, Kyle Marion, Cade Long, and Cameron Corcoran were able to create and space and get good looks, especially from three. Rollins shot an absurd 80% (12-15) from distance in this one. 

Both teams were efficient on offense in the first half, with the Tars shooting 20-34 (58.8%) while AUM countered with 15-25 (60%). Each team was hot from distance as well, with Rollins shooting 5-6 (83%) from three and AUM making seven of twelve attempts (58.3%). The Tars won the rebounding battle 14-10, with five different players securing multiple boards. Rollins led 45-40 at the first horn.

The halftime break killed the momentum for a while as both teams struggled to open the second half. In fact, Rollins didn't have a make from the floor until a Yenor dunk with 13 minutes left in the half. The Warhawks pulled within one at 50-49, but the newcomer Corcoran hit back-to-back threes for the Tars, followed by layups from Yenor and Jaden Frazier to extend the lead to 60-49. Moments later, Cody Potter converted a four-point play and added another triple to keep the surging Warhawks at bay. 

Rollins would hang on for the victory late thanks to solid free throw shooting, with the book showing a final score of 85-83. 

Yenor led the way with 20 points on 7-10 shooting, and also added four rebounds, two assists, and three steals. Kyle Marion matched the three steals, and also scored 18 points. Corcorcan nailed five triples, and dished out a team-high five assists.