WINTER PARK, Fla. (January 21, 2026) - Men's basketball snapped their three-game losing streak with an impressive performance on Wednesday, taking down the Embry-Riddle Eagles 96-88 at Warden Arena. The win moves the Tars to 10-8, 4-6 SSC while the Eagles fall to 8-9, 5-5 SSC.
The three-headed monster of
Omar Figueroa,
Jah Nze, and
Ricky Ghedini proved to be too much for the Eagles' defense to handle as each player eclipsed the twenty-point mark. Figueroa had the hot hand early, scoring five of the first eight points for Rollins as they took a one-point lead into the first media timeout. Following an Embry-Riddle free throw to tie the game, the Tars received a boost from big man
William Jobe, who knocked down a three and a pair of free throws to spark a run. Ghedini followed with a layup off a nifty pass from Nze, putting the Tars up 15-8.
The momentum was short-lived, however, as the Eagles clawed back in, and eventually tied the game at 22. Soon after, it was Ghedini providing the offensive spark as he ripped off eight straight points, all of which came in the paint on a variety of dribble-drives, pump fakes, and layups. Defensively, the Tars were forcing contested shots as well as multiple turnovers late in the half, leading to a double digit lead. Nze scored seven points in the last three minutes to help Rollins take a 51-38 lead at the break.
Rollins was cooking offensively in the first stanza, shooting 17-30 (57%) from the field.
Embry-Riddle came out with purpose in the second half, knocking down three triples while the Tars could only manage one free throw, making it a 52-47 game.
Jackson Gaffney got the Tars back on track with a three on a nice pass from Ghedini, followed by Figueroa knocking down a triple of his own to grow the lead back to 58-49. From there, the Tars went back down low and saw
Mayson Quartlebaum, Ghedini, and Nze all finish in the paint to make it a fifteen point game at 64-49.
Again, the Eagles did not give up, and were able to climb back in the game with some sharp-shooting of their own. They pulled within seven a couple of times, but Figueroa seemed to have an answer anytime they contemplated a run. Rollins held a double-digit lead for much of the last third of the game, and seemingly had the game in the bag. But with two minutes to go, things got real interesting.
After two free throws from Nze made it 88-75 with 2:10 to go, Embry-Riddle grabbed a defensive rebound and then forced four consecutive turnovers from the Tars, converting on three of the possession to pull within three at 88-85. Thankfully, the Tars broke the curse when Figueroa stripped Landen Harwood at the rim, was fouled, and knocked down his free throws. In fact, in the last 35 seconds of action, Rollins went 8-8 from the line to seal the win.
Figueroa stuffed the stat sheet in this one, leading all scorers with 28 points on 8-15 shooting (4-6 from three), seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals. Nze was good for 23 points, four boards, and three assists. Ghedini set a season-high with 21 points on 75% shooting (9-12), five rebounds, three assists, and two steals. As a team, the Tars were 30-61 from the floor (49.2%) and hit ten threes. Jared Berry led the Eagles with 22 points.
Next up for the Tars is a road match at Saint Leo on Saturday, January 24. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 pm following the girls' game.
