WINTER PARK, Fla. (January 10, 2024) - Women's basketball saw their eight-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday as they fell to the Nova Southeastern Sharks by a score of 56-40. The Tars now stand at 9-4 overall with a 6-1 record in SSC play, while Nova improves to 11-3 and also 6-1 in the SSC.
The first couple of minutes belonged to the Tars as their vaunted defense kept the Sharks off the board for the first two-and-a-half minutes of the game while jumping out to a 6-0 lead. An
Ajalon Gillard three would increase the lead to 9-2, giving Rollins their largest lead of the day. The Sharks chipped away, and also held Rollins scoreless for the final 3:32 of the first quarter, making it 10-8 after one.
Nova Southeastern exploded for 23 points in the second quarter, as they were able to find holes in the Rollins defense. After the Sharks had taken the lead, a
Claire Erickson wing three brought Rollins within two at 21-19. However, Nova would close the quarter on a 10-2 run and hold a 31-21 lead at halftime.
The Sharks added to their lead in the third as Rollins struggled to convert on offense at the start of the third. Eventually,
Maddie Dillinger,
Emily McIntosh, and
Lucy Leen would all hit jumpers, but by then the lead had grown to 15. At the end of three, it was 47-31.
Rollins locked in on defense again in the fourth, limiting Nova to 2-11 shooting and only nine points. Dillinger and Leen were the only Tars to score in the final frame, with Leen leading the charge with eight of her game high twelve in the period. Nova Southeastern would head home with a 56-40 win.
The Tars were in first place in the SSC heading into this one, and will now be second behind the Sharks. Next up for Rollins is a battle with the #3 seed, Tampa, on Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 pm from Warden Arena.
