LAKELAND, Fla. (Dec. 6, 2025) — Rollins put together a solid offensive outing on Saturday afternoon, shooting nearly 48 percent from the field and getting 24 points from Jah Nze, but a late surge by Florida Southern proved to be the difference as the Tars fell 93–88 inside Jenkins Field House.
Rollins (4–4, 0–3 SSC) controlled long stretches of the afternoon and led for more than 22 minutes, including a 12-point first-half cushion built on ball pressure, pace, and timely shot-making. Nze sparked the early push with three steals and multiple run-out finishes, and the Tars' defensive activity created 19 Moccasin turnovers before the break. Marshall Klug and Matus Malovec each buried early threes to stretch the floor, while Omar Figueroa slashed his way to the rim for key baskets in transition.
The energy carried into the locker room with Rollins in front 43–41 after an efficient 7-of-16 mark from beyond the arc and 80 percent free-throw shooting. The Tars' starters combined for 36 first-half points, anchored by Nze's 15.
The second half, however, turned into a back-and-forth battle of runs. Rollins answered punch for punch, opening the period with steadiness on the interior as Mayson Quartlebaum converted multiple paint touches and Nze calmly knocked down free throws to regain the lead at 52–50. A few minutes later, sparked by a clean defensive rotation and a Figueroa finish inside, the Tars rebuilt a seven-point advantage—their largest of the second half—at the 13:22 mark.
But from there the game tightened, and Florida Southern's shot-making from deep gradually shifted momentum. Even so, Rollins kept applying pressure. Ryan Renfro crashed the glass for second-chance points, Ricky Ghedini drilled a corner three to halt a Moccasin run, and Klug delivered two late threes ... including a transition strike off a Nze steal ... to keep the Tars within striking distance inside the final minute. Florida Southern put together a decisive run between the four- and two-minute marks, capitalizing on second-chance opportunities to create just enough separation to close the game out.
Nze continued to attack the basket throughout the stretch run, finishing with a game-high 24 points to go with six rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Figueroa added 16 points and three steals, showing poise in key moments, while Klug posted 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from deep. Renfro contributed eight points, four rebounds, and two blocks, and the Tars' bench provided a strong lift with 20 points led by Quartlebaum's efficient nine.
Rollins shot 44 percent from three (11-of-25), 79 percent at the line, and outscored FSC 36–32 in the paint. The Tars also doubled the Mocs in points off turnovers, 26–12.
The Tars will have a week to knock out their final exams before returning to action on Saturday, December 13 when they host the Tampa Spartans at Warden Arena.
