DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (December 19, 2025) – Rollins women's basketball battled through a back-and-forth contest on Friday afternoon, but ultimately fell to Emmanuel, 70–62, to close play at the ERAU Holiday Classic.
Claire Erickson opened the scoring with a three to give Rollins the early edge. Emmanuel answered from deep, but
Faith Newton responded with a three of her own to swing the lead back to the Tars.
Grace Craig followed with a jumper to get into the scoring column before a five-minute drought slowed Rollins' momentum. Erickson stepped up again to pull the Tars back even, but a pair of Lion buckets closed the quarter with Emmanuel ahead 16–11.
Erickson again sparked Rollins to open the second, drilling another three before finding Craig for a layup to knot the score once more.
Tara Murray followed with a steal and a fast-break finish to keep the game within a possession. Emmanuel answered with a run to stretch the lead, but
Victoria Escribano connected on a jumper to halt the surge. Another Lion bucket pushed the margin into double digits, but Erickson kept the Tars within reach, knocking down a three and adding a free throw to send Rollins into the break trailing 31–24.
Rollins came out of the locker room with renewed energy, as Escribano and Erickson combined for six quick points to pull within one. Emmanuel regained some breathing room, but Murray stepped into a timely three to stay close. Escribano added a fast-break layup, setting the stage for Newton to tie the game at 38 with a three. The Lions responded with another run, pushing the lead back to nine, but
Jordyn Egger buried a pair of threes late in the quarter, and Erickson added a free throw to keep Rollins within four heading into the final frame.
Emmanuel opened the fourth with a quick push, but Escribano broke the run at the line to keep the game within reach. Egger followed with another three, and Rollins continued to hang around behind Erickson's shooting and free throws from Newton. Time ultimately ran out for the Tars, as Emmanuel fended off the comeback attempt. A late Craig layup closed out the scoring, making it a 70–62 final in favor of the Lions.
Erickson poured in a collegiate career-high 25 points on an efficient 7-for-10 shooting from beyond the arc, while also leading the Tars with five assists and three steals. Escribano and Egger each added nine points, with Newton chipping in eight. Craig anchored the glass with 11 rebounds. As a team, Rollins shot 43.3% from three and produced 11 second-chance points along with 14 points off turnovers.
Rollins moves to 5–6 on the season and returns to action Tuesday, Dec. 31, for an SSC matchup against Saint Leo at 2 p.m. inside Warden Arena.
