The Sandspur

Issue date: 2/24/06 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Courtesy of RCISD LAST MAN STANDING: Rollins' only senior, Nate Rusbosin, played hard untilt he end, earning himself the title of "Player with the Most Wins."

The Rollins College Men's Basketball Team continued to remain atop the Sunshine State Conference this week, despite a tough loss to conference rival Tampa. The Tars would then try to rebound from their first setback in more than a month, against conference foe Barry.

On Wednesday, the Tampa Spartans rolled into town, desiring a much needed victory against the Tars and looking to avenge a loss to Rollins earlier in the season. Rollins was looking to extend their winning streak to ten games, and they were looking to stay exclusively atop the conference standings. Tampa jumped out to a 17-2 lead in the first five minutes, as Rollins struggled to hit shots. However, the Tars were able to subside the Spartans momentum, as their lead dwindled to nine. Just as Rollins was able to cut the Tampa lead to single digits, a three pointer by Marcus Bright at the buzzer gave Tampa a 35-23 advantage, sending the game into halftime.

In the second half, the Tars came out on fire, as they cut the Tampa lead from twelve to five, in the first seven minutes of the second half. After a Tampa timeout, the Spartans went on a 23-11 run to take a 70-53 lead, with 5:39 to go in the second half. After a Rollins timeout, John "JT" Thinnes hit two of his eight second half three pointers, and consecutive lay-ups by Isaac Codrey propelled the Tars on a 17-4 run to cut the Tampa lead to 74-70 with 1:42 left. After the teams switched free throws, Tampa's Christopher Evans hit a desperation three pointer with one second left on the shot clock, to put an exclamation point on his career night. After that, the teams exchanged free throws until the buzzer. The Tars rally came up short this time, and Tampa ended the Tars eight game-winning streak with an 87-81 victory at the Alfond Sports Center. Tampa's Christopher Evans had a carrer night, totaling 20 points and 14 rebounds to lead the Spartans. For the Tars, Thinnes had a career-high 31 points and Isaac Codrey and Kevin Hogan had 19 and 13, respectively. The Tars overall record dropped to 18-6 and 10-3 in the Sunshine State Conference.

Continued...

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