Published On: Fri, Jan 20th, 2017

Fighting Knights’ Road Woes Continue, Lose to Rollins

By: Michael Demyan

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Terrell Rogers led the Fighting Knights with 27 points. Photo Credit: Victoria Alvarez, Lynn Athletic Communications

After two straight nail-biting wins, the Lynn University Fighting Knights fell short 73-71 away from home against Rollins Wednesday night.

The Fighting Knights seemed to be holding onto the momentum from their second half rally on Jan. 14 to start the game. Marquan Botley quickly went 3-of-3 from behind the arc and they jumped out to an early 20-8 lead.

The lead stayed steady throughout most of the half, but Rollins began to creep closer and came to within four points by halftime.

The early momentum continued for the Fighting Knights to begin the second half however as consecutive baskets from Terrell Rogers extended their lead to 37-28. Rollins answered back though with a 7-0 run to bring them within two points and neither team was able to pull away for the rest of the game.

Rollins regained the lead at 45-43 for the first time since the opening minutes on a layup from Jeff Merton. That set the tone for the rest of the game as the score was tied a total of eight times and the lead changed hands seven times.

With 2:38 left on the clock, the Fighting Knights were trying to keep the score within reach. Vieux Kande made a layup to bring them back to within a point at 66-65, but Rollins was able to stretch it back out to a five-point lead with back-to-back layups.

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Juwan Frazier attempts a layup. He finished with four assists. Photo Credit: Victoria Alvarez, Lynn Athletic Communications

Botley took matters into his own hands with 49 seconds remaining by stealing the ball and heading to the basket for a layup which brought them back to within three. Juwan Frazier followed his example and got a steal and a layup of his own to bring the Fighting Knights back to within one at 70-69 with 22 seconds left.

The time dwindled down to just 11 seconds remaining before Kevin O’Brien fouled Rollins’ Joey Galvis to send him to the free throw line. After making both shots, Rogers was fouled by Sam Philpott three seconds later. He had a successful trip as well, but the Fighting Knights were still down by one.

With no other options, James Darius fouled Joey Galvis to send him back to the free throw line with with five seconds left. Galvis made the first shot and missed the second, but that was all they needed as Rollins came out on top 73-71.

The loss continues the struggles on the road for the Fighting Knights as their away record has fallen to 1-4 compared to their 8-1 record at home. Turnovers were a large issue in the game as they lost the ball 17 times compared to a season low of eight for Rollins.

Rogers led the Fighting Knights with 27 points and Botley (14) also finished the night with double-digit points.

For Rollins, Philpott led the team with 21 points and Galvis tied a career high with six assists.

The Fighting Knights now sit at a record of 10-6. They travel back home for their next game which will be tomorrow at 4 p.m. against Eckerd College.

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