WINTER PARK, Fla. (November 23, 2024) - After controlling the game for the majority of the afternoon, a late surge from Nova Southeastern was enough to take down Rollins, 49-47. The Tars now stand at 3-3 on the year, with a 1-1 record in the SSC. The Sharks move to 4-1, 1-0 SSC.
Defense as the name of the game in this one, as both teams did a great job limiting their opponent to few quality looks. Sophomore
Faith Newton collected two blocks in the first minute of the game, and the Tars forced a total of four turnovers in the opening period while also limiting the Sharks to 30% shooting, taking a 12-11 lead.
The offense didn't click right away in the second, but they still kept the game tight with defense. Freshman
Zai Mitchell led the way with five points, resulting in a 24-19 lead for Rollins at half.
The Sharks opened the second half with a 7-0 run to take the lead.
Claire Erickson and Newton scored back-to-back buckets to retake the lead, while the defense held Nova Southeastern without a point for more than five minutes. The Tars went up by nine with a Sanders jumper, but a run from the Sharks cut the lead to 35-33 at the end of three.
Four lead changes led to a riveting final period. Rollins looked to be in control when Newton collected her own miss and put it back in, plus a foul, to make it 47-45 with a minute to play.
The response from Nova was swift, as they knocked down a three, forced a stop, and hit a free throw to go up 49-47. A last second three from
Aaliyah Irizarry-Perez missed its mark, ending the game.
The Tars forced twenty turnovers, had eight blocks, and twelve steals despite the loss. Newton led the offense with eleven points and four rebounds. Irizarry-Perez was good for ten points and seven rebounds.
Rollins is back at it on Tuesday when they travel to Melbourne to take on the Florida Tech Panthers. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 pm.
