WINTER PARK, Fla. (January 31, 2024) - Rollins suffered their sixth straight loss on Wednesday, dropping an SSC matchup against Florida Tech, 58-53. The Tars now stand at 9-9 on the year, with a 6-6 record in the SSC. The Panthers improve to 6-16, 1-10 SSC.
Florida Tech set the tone early by jumping out to a 6-0 lead, but a three from
Faith Newton and layups from
Ajalon Gillard and
Maddie Dillinger made it 8-7. A nifty layup from
Kaitlyn Sanders on a beautiful backdoor cut was the final basket of the first, cutting the Panther lead to 16-12.
The second quarter saw the Panthers score five quick points, and then Sanders knock down a three for the Tars. Then ... nothing. Neither team scored a point for the next five game minutes, until Dillinger converted a layup at the 4:13 mark. That sparked a two-way flurry of 16 points in the next 90 seconds, leading to a 29-23 advantage for Tech. Each team would score once more, making the halftime score 32-25.
A pair of threes from
Grace Alfieri and
Emily McIntosh brought Rollins within three to start the third quarter. Florida Tech was quick to answer as they continued to knock down their open looks. They had an advantage on offensive rebounds, creating plenty of second-chance points. They grew their lead to 47-38 by the end of the quarter.
Dillinger was able to knock down 80% of her free throws to start the fourth, but the Tars struggled from the field. They did not convert their first field goal until a Dillinger layup four minutes in. They received a fantastic defensive effort though, as they held the Panthers scoreless for nearly five minutes.
A pair of Dillinger freebies made it 55-53 with 30 seconds to go, but Tech would get one back on an intentional foul. Down three, Rollins drew up a play out of a timeout, and got a great look at a three, but the shot from
Caroline Swartz rimmed out with the Panthers grabbing the rebound. Two more free throws would make the final of 58-53.
Florida Tech converted on 22-52 chances (43%), while the Tars only managed 18 makes on 58 attempts (31%). Dillinger was the leading scorer with 17 points, and also added nine rebounds. Sanders was the next highest with nine points to go with her two rebounds and two assists.
Rollins will have another home game coming up. On Saturday, February 3, the Tars will host the Palm Beach Atlantic Sailfish at 2:00 pm in Winter Park.
