FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 25, 2023) - The Rollins Tars were competitive for three of the four quarters in Wednesday's matchup with Nova Southeastern. Unfortunately, a sloppy third period cost them in a 77-62 conference loss. Rollins now stands at 7-11 on the year, and 2-9 in SSC play.
It took a few minutes for both teams to get going, but once the scoring started, the game was competitive. After a scoreless first two minutes of the game, the two squads converted on six straight possessions. Nova Southeastern took a 13-8 lead at one point, but
Lucy Leen knocked down three-pointers on two straight possessions to give the Tars a lead. She then added a third triple with 14 seconds left to win the quarter, 17-16.
Nova scored twice in the second before
Claire Erickson knotted the score at twenty with a three, followed by another three to put Rollins up 23-20. The teams would tie up again at 23, and then once more at 26. The Sharks would end the second on a 9-3 run to take a 35-29 lead into the break.
The third quarter spelled doom for the Tars as Nova shot the lights out. The quarter started with an 11-2 run in favor of the Sharks, putting them up 46-31. They would maintain that cushion for most of the quarter. Rollins wasn't able to score more than one basket in a row until three minutes left. A 10-0 run to end the period had Nova Southeastern up 63-40 at the horn.
Despite the deficit, Rollins played with a lot of heart in the final frame.
Aaliyah Irizarry-Perez and Leen each knocked down shots from dep, followed by paint points from
Grace Alfieri and
Erin Leigh. Unfortunately, the Tars could not get closer than 14 points despite outscoring Nova 22-14 in the fourth quarter. By the time the clock read zeroes, it was a 77-62 win for the Sharks.
Leen was the leading scorer for Rollins with 20 points including six made threes.
Kymora Westerfield was the only other Tar in double figures with ten points, three assists, and three steals.
Rollins will travel to Florida Tech on Saturday for a matchup with the Panthers. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
