LAKELAND, Fla. — No. 18 Florida Southern College men's basketball (8-1, 2-0 Sunshine State) controlled the second half in the home conference opener against Rollins College (4-4, 0-3 Sunshine State), with a 93-88, victory on Saturday at Jenkins Field House.
A strong second-half performance, featuring 12 three-pointers and 21 assists, propelled the Moccasins to the win.
"Really proud of our guys," said head coach
Mike Donnelly on tonight's win. "We defended and took better care of the ball in the second half, which helped us get into a better offensive flow and rhythm. We had balanced scoring once again, which is a very important element to the success of this team."
Florida Southern initiated the first half with a strong offensive start, highlighted by
Ameer Ramadan's early three-pointer, assisted by
Elijah Walsh. Despite facing turnovers, the home team maintained momentum with effective fast-breaks, including an
Amare Miller layup that kept the score tight. Defensive efforts were bolstered by Miller's block, which helped the Moccasins stay competitive.
The half featured several lead changes, with Florida Southern capitalizing on opportunities in the paint, scoring 14 points.
Khalil Ross and Ramadan contributed to the scoring with key assists, narrowing the Tars' lead. The team closed the half with Walsh converting three free throws to tie the game briefly, but Rollins regained a slight edge, leading 43–41 at the end of the first half.
The second half opened with a quick momentum swing by the Mocs, as Ramadan hit back-to-back three-pointers, assisted by
Brady Corso, to extend a narrow lead. Florida Southern maintained their pace with effective ball movement and timely defense, highlighted by Corso's layup and a subsequent three-point play that kept the pressure on Rollins. As the half progressed, Ross and Miller contributed with key baskets, helping the Moccasins regain and then extend their lead, despite the Tars' attempts to close the gap.
In the latter part of the half, Florida Southern capitalized on Rollins' turnovers, with Corso and Ross making crucial plays to widen the margin. The team also responded well to the Tars' scoring attempts, maintaining a strong presence on the boards. The half concluded with the Moccasins solidifying their lead, finishing ahead, 93-88.
Miller scored 24 points and added five rebounds, leading the team in field goals made with nine. Ross contributed with 12 points, six rebounds, and recorded two steals, showcasing his defensive impact. Ramadan posted 15 points, including three 3-pointers, and dished out four assists. Corso matched Ramadan with 15 points, also making five field goals and collecting six rebounds.
Looking ahead, Florida Southern will face Lincoln on Wednesday, Dec. 10. The game will take place at 7 p.m. at George W. Jenkins Field House in Lakeland, Florida.
