WINTER PARK, Fla. (January 11, 2023) - Rollins captured their second consecutive SSC win in dramatic fashion, using a late run to take down the Lynn Fighting Knights, 81-72. Rollins now stands at 7-8 overall and 4-4 in SSC play.
It was a sloppy start for Rollins as they fell behind 9-2 early, forcing head coach
Tom Klusman to call a timeout just three minutes into the game. After a rousing pep talk to his team, the Tars came out of the break and scored six straight points to make it a 9-8 game.
Cade Long was the key piece in the mini-comeback, scoring four points and adding a steal. After Lynn extended their lead,
Cody Potter and Long hit threes on consecutive possessions to knot the score at 14.
Nearly four minutes of game time passed before Rollins scored again, but thankfully they were playing great defense during that time, so the Lynn lead was not insurmountable.
John Latimer III connected on a pair of jumpers to keep it close. Then, trailing by seven,
Cameron Corcoran hit a jumper and a three to make it a one possession game. Next in line was
Sergey Grishaev, who scored four points in a row, dished an assist to
Hutton Yenor, added a block, and snagged two rebounds in a two-minute span. Lynn nailed a late three with four seconds on the clock to head into halftime up 40-35.
Lynn started the second half with more energy than the Tars, but the home team was still able to stay within striking distance thanks to timely buckets. At the 11:45 mark, Lynn led the game 60-50. Rollins would go on an absolute tear, connecting on their next seven shots from the field. At the 7-minute mark, the Tars led 65-62.
The Knights would reclaim the lead, but all that did was energize
Kyle Marion and Yenor. The two captains would score the next eight Tar points, while the defense stepped up in a big way, holding Lynn scoreless for almost five minutes.
Jaden Frazier, Marion, and Yenor hit six free throws in a row in the final minute to help Rollins hang on for a comeback, 81-72 win.
Marion, playing in his first game since inuring his knee on January 1, led the team with 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Yenor finished with 13 points, while Latimer chipped in 12. Frazier was a beast off the bench, snagging a team-high 14 rebounds and scoring eight points.
Next up for Rollins is a big matchup with SSC rival Florida Southern. The two teams will tip off following the women's game on Saturday, January 14.
