WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 10, 2024) - For the third time in four games, men's basketball put forth a strong effort on the court and came away with a win. On Saturday, they defeated Eckerd (12-11, 7-8 SSC) 83-80 to improve to 8-14, 5-10 SSC on the year.
The Tars jumped out to an early 7-0 lead, converting on their first three possessions.
Cade Long was good from three two times, and added a strong drive to the hoop to score eight points in the game's first three minutes. Eckerd was able to battle back with the hot shooting of Isaiah Placide, who had nine points before the first media timeout.
Coming off the break, the two teams went make for make on the next six possessions. The offense instantly shut off though as the Tar defense held Eckerd without a point for three minutes. Unfortunately, Eckerd outdid Rollins by holding the Tars scoreless for more than four.
After the Tritons took a lead,
Jaden Frazier scored on a nice hook shot in the paint to tie the game. Moments later, it was
Dylan Wolle knocking down a pair of threes to give the Tars the 29-28 lead. Rollins would score the last three points of the half, and take a 38-34 lead into the break.
Rollins was cashing in at 48% from the floor in the first half, knocking down five threes. Eckerd only shot 39%, but their seven triples kept them in the game.
Long knocked down his fourth three of the game to open the second half, followed by two makes from
Matheus Silveira. The Tars would maintain a 5-8 point lead for the next few minutes, using a steady dose of Silveira down low and Long from outside.
The Tritons would come roaring back with the lights out play of Placide, who would end up with seven made threes in the game. They took a brief 54-52 lead at the twelve minute mark, but then senior
Kyle Marion went to work. He scored on three straight Rollins possessions, giving a boost to an offense that had gone stagnant.
Eckerd kept fighting ,and would eventually regain the lead. Then, it was Silveira stepping up with eight straight Tar points. A big moment in the game saw Long steal an errant pass from Placide and take it coast-to-coast for a layup and the foul to make it 71-65.
The game would tie at 77 with a minute to go on a tough make from George Kimble. Silveira knocked done two free throws on the ensuing possession, followed by a missed three from Eckerd. Marion would then cash four free throws in the final minute, helping Rollins to a 83-80 win.
Long led the offense with a career-best 23 points, the third time he has set a new career high in the last two weeks. He knocked down five threes and added three rebounds and three assists. Silveira was good for 22 points on 10-13 shooting and five rebounds. Marion ended the game with 18 points and five dimes. Placide was the high man for the game with 29 points for the Tritons.
Next up for Rollins is a home date with the Embry-Riddle Eagles on Wednesday, February 14. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 after the women's game at Warden Arena.
