SAINT LEO, Fla. (February 7, 2024) - Men's basketball turned in one of their top all-around games of the season on Wednesday, trouncing the Saint Leo Lions in their own gym by a score of 93-74. Rollins improves to 7-4, 4-0 SSC with the win while Saint Leo drops to 9-13, 4-10 SSC with the loss.
Rollins shot incredibly well as a team from the floor in this one, converting 37-60 shots for a 61.7% field goal percentage that included a cool 11-22 from three point range.
Saint Leo jumped out to an early lead, but a pair of threes from
Sergey Grishaev kept it close at the first media timeout. Coming out of the break,
Cade Long stroked one from deep to give Rollins a 13-12 advantage.
A string of free throws as well as a seven-point flurry from
Kyle Marion had the Tars up 25-18 in a matter of minutes. The Tars would hold strong while also implementing a smothering defense that did not allow a point from 10:34-6:10 in the game.
Long continued to connect as the Tars were able to pass through the Lions' zone defense. Rollins also got a big boost from
Matheus Silveira, who absolutely dominated in the paint. Dyan Wolle would convert the final field goal of the half, giving Rollins a 46-36 lead at the break.
After a Saint Leo three opened the second half, Long converted a four-point play on the very next possession. Marion would add a three of his own after a Lions miss, and from there the route was on. Saint Leo would not get any closer than 13 for the rest of the game, and Rollins at times had a lead as big as 22.
When the Lions failed to crash the paint, Silveira was unstoppable. When they sent the double, the big man's passing ability led to open looks for the Tars' shooters. Grishaev was especially effective in the latter half of the second, converting ona mix of mid-range jumpers and shots near the rim
A final three from Long at the 3:45 mark forced a timeout and saw Saint Leo clear their bench. A couple of threes were converted by both sides in the final minute, with Rollins holding on for a 93-74 win.
Silveira was the top scorer in this one, posting 25 points on 60% shooting and 7-9 from the free throw line. Marion stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, six rebounds, and eight assists. Long set his career-high for the second time in two weeks with 22 points that included five make from deep. Grishaev was good for 16 points and five rebounds.
Next up for Rollins is a home contest against Eckerd on Saturday, February 10. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm.
