Looking to halt a two-game slide, Rollins steps out of Sunshine State Conference play to host Warner on Wednesday night. The Tars went 5-0 through their early non-conference slate, riding a potent offense to beat teams by an average of 16 points a game during the span. Over the last two, Rollins has been outscored by 11 a game with both Embry-Riddle and Lynn shooting better than 50 percent. The Tars will face another high-powered offense in Warner. The Royals are 7-4 on the year and received votes in the latest NAIA national poll. Each of WU’s losses have come against other nationally ranked teams. Warner is coming off a six-point win at the College of Coastal Georgia on Tuesday night. Warner head coach Sean Hanrahan is part of the Tom Klusman coaching tree, having served on the Tars bench for two seasons (1999-01).
Less than 24 after tipping off in Brunswick, Georgia, the Royals head to Winter Park for a date with the Tars. Against Coastal Georgia, Warner trailed 43-23 at the half, but exploded for 54 second half points and posted a 77-71 win. Royals’ starters scored all but seven points, led by Trae Graham’s 22 points and nine rebounds. Darryl Mercer added 19 and Kahalik Ozuna scored 18. Graham also tops the season boxscore with 18.4 points a game. Ozuna averages 17.1 points and a team-best 9.8 rebounds a game. Warner is putting up 82.8 and allowing 78.9 a game.
Closing out a six-game homestand, the Tars seek to get back to their winning ways on Wednesday after consecutive losses. Rollins is coming off a 90-80 loss to now 18th ranked Lynn on Saturday. Jakobi Bonner led the way with 24 points on a 9-of-12 shooting night. Eric Castaneda posted 14 points while Daniel Loh added 13 points and seven rebounds. The teams combined for 58 free throws in the game. Bonner is having a banner season on the offensive end, leading the Tars with 17.9 points and 6.3 rebounds a game. The junior has scored double-digits in six of seven games and passed 20 points three times. Connor Mckim is putting up 14.1 points a night and leads the team with 20 assists and 18 steals. Senior Daniel Loh is getting 11 points and 5.7 rebounds. Rollins is scoring 8.3 a game and allowing 72 points a night. The Tars are outrebounding opponents by more than five boards a game.
- Rollins leads the all-time series with Warner 15-5, riding a three-game winning streak.
- Last season Rollins beat Warner 87-57, holding the Royals to 25 second half points. Sam Philpott led the way for the Tars with 15 points. Melton Sanders paced WU with 13.
- Rollins surrendered 17 three-pointers to Lynn, a season-high.
- Rollins had a season-low 11 turnovers against Lynn.
- The Tars rank seventh nationally in steals per game at 11.1.
- Rollins is ninth in the nation with 78 total steals.
- Rollins forces an NCAA Division II 18th-best 18.7 rebounds a game.
- Connor Mckim is 36th in Division II with 18 steals.
- Jakobi Bonner has attempted the 15th-most free throws (60) in the nation.
- Head coach Tom Klusman is the 10th-winningest coach in Division II history now in his 39th year leading his alma mater. His career record of 698-409 is the second most wins in SSC history ranks 43rd among all divisions all-time.