WINTER PARK, Fla. (February 8, 2025) - Women's basketball kept things tight with #23 Tampa in each quarter, but ultimately came up short in the 70-63 loss on Saturday. The Tars now stand at 7-14 (2-12 SSC) while the Spartans improve to 21-4 (13-2 SSC).
The first quarter saw the Tars light it up from distance to hold an early lead.
Emily McIntosh knocked down a pair, while
Faith Newton and
Claire Erickson each connected as well.
Zai Mitchell converted a three-point play with 4:09 left, putting Rollins up 19-10. Unfortunately, those were the final points of the period for the Tars, and Tampa stormed back to hold a 20-19 lead at the first horn.
Erickson scored the first four points of the second quarter to keep Rollins in the game.
Anna Kimball and Mitchell were the only other two Tars to convert a field goal attempt in the quarter. However, Rollins was able to knock down six free throws in the second, and trailed by just three, 34-31, at halftime.
The first points of the third came on a game-tying three from Newton. Minutes later, the Tars tied the game again when
Anna Kimball finished down low after a nice feed from
Claire Erickson. With four minutes to go, Newton and McIntosh nailed threes to give the Tars a 44-43 lead. The game remained tight, and a Sanders layup made it 50-47 in the last ten seconds. Tampa inbounded the ball and saw Kath Van Bennekom nail a three from halfcourt to make the score 53-47.
Rollins ran out of gas in the fourth, and could not get any closer than six points. The Spartans used their size advantage down low to convert solid looks, while the outside shots for the Tars stopped falling. Though Rollins held Tampa scoreless in the final two minutes of the game, they still lost 70-63.
Newton was the leading scorer for Rollins with 13 points. Erickson added ten points, six rebounds, and a team-high five assists. Zoe Piller was the top scorer for the game with 25 points on behalf of the Spartans.
The next game for Rollins is on the road on Wednesday February 12. The Tars will travel to Saint Leo to take on the Lions at 5:30 pm.
