Box Score LAKELAND, FL - LaBrian Shiflet scored 17 second-half points as Florida Southern College men's basketball nearly overcame a 22-point deficit in a 94-88 loss to Sunshine State Conference rival Rollins on Wednesday at Jenkins Field House.
The Moccasins (7-12, 5-5 SSC) made nine second-half three-pointers an almost pulled off a stunning comeback, but the Tars (12-8, 6-5) hung on for their third-straight win over the Mocs.
HOW IT HAPPENED
• Florida Southern found itself in an early double-digit hole as Rollins built a 17-7 lead with just over 14 minutes to go in the first half. The Tars would never lead by less than seven points for the remainder of the opening period, leading by as many as 18 points (44-26).
• The Moccasins connected on just 33.3 percent (11-of-33) of their first-half shots, a number of which rattled out of the basket. Rollins made 46.7 percent (14-of-30) of its field-goal attempts in the first half.
• Florida Southern trailed by as many as 22 points early in the second half, but was able to use a 12-3 run midway through the half to cut its deficit to 10 points (64-54). Rollins would push the lead back to 12 points (68-56) with 6:59 to play, but the Mocs would not go down without a fight.
• Shiflet coverted a fastbreak layup, drew a foul, and hit the ensuing free throw to spark a 10-0 run that brough Florida Southern within two points (68-66) with 4:59 to go. The Mocs trailed by just two points (74-72) with just under three minutes to play, but the Tars responded with nine-straight points to put the game out of reach.
• The Moccasins shot 44.4 percent (32-of-72) on the night, while Rollins hit 58.0 percent 29-of-50) of its shots, including 15-of-20 in the second half.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
• Florida Southern fell to 119-56 all-time against Rollins, including 65-22 at home. The Tars picked up their third-straight win in the series.
• Shiflet scored all of his 17 points in the final 10:14 of the game. Wednesday marked his first game back after missing the last three games due to a death in the family.
• Michael Volovic poured in 30 points on 10-of-16 shooting, including 7-of-11 from beyond the arc. In two games this year against Rollins, Volovic has averaged 31.5 points while shooting 20-of-33 (60.6 percent), including an incredible 14-of-23 from long range.
• Brett Hanson and Tyler Ross each scored 11 points, while Jeremiah Davis pulled down eight rebounds and dished out six assists. Jarel Spellman recorded one block to move his career total to 145, and needs just 18 more to set a school record for career blocks.
• The Moccasins finished with a 35-34 edge in rebounds, but were outscored 38-25 in the paint. Florida Southern did finish with a 30-8 edge in bench points.
UP NEXT
• The Moccasins will face Nova Southeastern at home on Saturday before heading to Saint Leo on Feb. 1. Florida Southern has just three home games remaining this year.
