WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 18, 2023) - Rollins hung tough for the majority of the game, but lost steam late, allowing the #7 ranked Eckerd Tritons to escape with a road win, 71-57. The Tars now stand at 8-17 on the year, while Eckerd moves to 21-4.
Rollins did a phenomenal job defensively in the first quarter, limiting the high-scoring Tritons to only 11 points. The biggest impact came on three-point defense, forcing the Tritons into just 1-9 from behind the arc. On offense,
Grace Alfieri got the Tars on the board early with five quick points, followed by makes from
Lucy Leen Aaliyah Irizarry-Perez, and
Erin Leigh. Rollins held a 14-11 advantage after one.Â
Emily Dogbatse sparked the Tars to open quarter two, with a three-pointer and a tough finish in the paint that gave Rollins a 19-11 lead, and forced Eckerd to call timeout. The break in momentum allowed Eckerd to bounce back with a 15-0 run as they held the Tars scoreless for more than five minutes. Still, Rollins stayed in the game thanks to back-to-back threes from Alfieri and Leigh. At the half, Eckerd led 29-25.Â
Once more, Rollins came out swinging in the third, and managed to take a 30-29 lead on another three form Alfieri, and a turnaround jumper from
Silvia Lasarte. From 9:21 to 5:29, neither team led by more than a point in any stretch. Unfortunately, Eckerd closed the quarter with a 14-3 run to take a 50-40 lead into the fourth.Â
Alfieri scored the first seven points of the final frame for the Tars, but Eckerd was right there to answer each basket and maintain their lead. A
Kymora Westerfield three cut the lead as low as six, but Rollins would not get any closer. The Tritons were able to knock donw some late free throws, and left Winter Park with a 71-57 win.Â
Alfieri was the standout for Rollins on the day with 18 points on 77% (7-9) shooting. She hit four threes, grabbed four rebounds, and added an assist.
Erin Leigh, Westerfield, and Irizarry-Perez each tied for the team lead with three assists.Â
The Tars will head to Daytona on Wednesday, February 22 to face the Embry-Riddle Eagles. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm.Â
