WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (January 17, 2026) – Rollins women's basketball came up short on the road Saturday afternoon, falling 79–40 to Palm Beach Atlantic.
Both teams opened the contest in a defensive stalemate before the Sailfish broke the ice.
Victoria Escribano got Rollins on the board at the free-throw line, and
Faith Newton followed moments later to even the score.
McKenna Murphy answered another PBA basket with a jumper to knot things at 5–5. Palm Beach Atlantic found a small run, but Escribano countered with an and-one to keep the Tars within reach. A scoreless stretch followed for both sides, sending the teams into the first break with PBA ahead 14–8.
Escribano struck again to open the second, finishing on a feed from
Claire Erickson. Newton answered another Sailfish bucket with a score of her own off a
Jordyn Egger assist, and
Elaina Kline-Ruminski followed with a basket to pull the margin back under 10.
Grace Craig trimmed it again moments later, and Kline-Ruminski capped a personal 6–0 run to make it a three-point game. The Sailfish responded with a run of their own to regain separation, though Escribano closed the half at the line to send Rollins into the locker room trailing by 11.
Newton opened the second half with a jumper and a three on back-to-back possessions, both set up by Erickson, to answer the Sailfish's early push. Palm Beach Atlantic responded with a 13-point run, stretching the lead once more. Escribano halted the momentum with a basket, and Erickson added an and-one to keep the Tars in it. Craig closed out the quarter's scoring with a free throw, making it 54–34 heading into the final frame.
Another PBA run opened the fourth, though
Makayla Daube connected twice at the stripe to try to swing momentum. Murphy added a layup, followed by another from Erickson on the next possession, but those would be the final points for Rollins as the Sailfish closed out the 79–40 decision.
Rollins finished the day with 22 points in the paint and 14 points off the bench. Escribano led the Tars with 10 points, while Newton added nine to go along with a team-high seven rebounds, matched by Craig. Erickson paced the offense with three assists.
Rollins moves to 5–11 overall and 0–9 in SSC play, while Palm Beach Atlantic improves to 8–9 (4–5 SSC). The Tars return home Wednesday, Jan. 21, for a 5:30 p.m. matchup against Embry-Riddle inside Warden Arena.
