TAMPA, Fla. (February 17, 2024) - A blow-for-blow battle came down to the final seconds in Tampa on Saturday, with the Spartans claiming victory, 79-77. With the loss, Rollins drops to 8-16 on the year, 5-12 SSC. Tampa improves to 8-17, 4-13 SSC.
Matheus Silveira was the early focal point of the Tars offense with a pair of makes from the paint, but the Rollins offense would stall shortly after as they fell behind 23-9 halfway through the first. Things would start to click though as
Kyle Marion, Silveira, and
Dylan Wolle all converted to cut the lead to nine.
Marion would continue to attack the basket finishing a three-point play, followed by two free throws to make the score 28-21. After Tampa went back up by eleven, the Tars finished the half strong, sparked by two triples from
Cade Long. Rollins outscored Tampa 13-4 in the final four minutes to make the halftime score 38-36.
The second half started similarly for the Tars with two makes from Silveira, tying the game at 40. The two teams then went almost shot-for-shot for the remainder of the match. The score would tie seven more times before the final buzzer, and neither team led by more than six at any point in the second half.
Wolle was a key cog in the comeback as he seemed to answer every Spartan run with a three. Marion also continued his relentless penetration, earning multiple trips to the free throw line.
Tampa took a five-point lead with four minutes to go, but
Braxton Barnhizer rattled in a three to make it a two-point game. A few possessions later, Marion split the defense for another layup, followed by a nifty pass from Long to a cutting Silveira to tie the game at 77 with 29 seconds to go.
The Spartans called timeout, and drew up a play for Bryan Williams, who was able to drive into the paint and score a tough bank shot over two Rollins defenders to make it 79-77. A last second heave from the Tars was no good, giving Tampa the win.
Silveira led the scoring with 20 points and nine rebounds, and was followed closely by Marion's 19 points, seven rebounds, and six assists. Wolle turned in 17 points, setting a new career high.
Next up for Rollins is a road trip to Lynn on Wednesday, February 21. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30, following the women's game.
