SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (December 22, 2024) - Men's basketball ended their calendar year in dramatic fashion as
Beau Frericks knocked down a buzzer-beating three-pointer to defeated Puerto Rico Bayamon 80-77 on Sunday. With the win, the Tars now stand at 7-5 on the year.
The two teams matched up in Winter Park the day before Thanksgiving, and Rollins won easily. This matchup was very different on the islanders' court.
The initial segment was a battle of guards as
Beau Frericks and Victor Carrillo traded points, leading to an 11-10 Bayamon lead at the first media timeout.
Both teams ebbed and flowed through the first half, keeping things tight. There were a total of eight ties and eleven lead changes in the opening twenty minutes of play.
A layup from Evan Colon gave Bayamon a seven-point advantage with nine minutes to go, the largest lead of the game. Frericks led a comeback though, knocking down three triples in a two-minute span to regain the lead for Rollins. A pair of free throws from
Sergey Grishaev with five seconds to go put the Tars up 41-40 at the break.
The first five possessions of the second half saw points scored as the two teams continued their battle. The Tars gained an advantage when
John Latimer III forced a steal and a fastbreak layup to put Rollins up three.
Bayamon stayed in the game with hot shooting from distance, including a Felix Ruiz triple that gave them a 62-60 lead with ten to play.
Neither team would hold a lead of more than three for the remainder of the game. Latimer connected on a jumper with 1:16 to go to tie the game at 77. On the next Gaucho possession,
Emilis Butkus came up with a huge block and rebound. However, the Tars would be whistled for an offensive foul on the ensuing possession, giving the ball back to Bayamon.
Coming out of a timeout, Carillo missed his three-point attempt with Butkus collecting the board. With the clock ticking away, Frericks wrked his way into the lane, but missed his shot in traffic. Again it as Butkus with a key rebound, which then was kicked out to Frericks. The senior calmly nailed a three-pointer at the buzzer to give the Tars a 80-77 win.
Frericks led the Tars in scoring with 27 points, including seven made threes. He also added four rebounds and four assists. Butkus added 19 points and six rebounds, Grishaev was good for 18 points and nine boards, and Latimer chipped in eleven points and four assists. Carillo had 28 points for the Gauchos in the loss.
Next up for Rollins is a SSC road game at Florida Tech on New Year's Day. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm on January 1.
