DAYTONA BEACH — The Embry-Riddle women’s basketball team overcame a rocky start to defeat Rollins 71-46 on Wednesday at the ICI Center, avenging an earlier loss to the Tars (11-9, 6-8).
ERAU improved to 16-4 overall and 10-3 in the Sunshine State Conference.
Tara Fields had a game-high 22 points and eight rebounds. Nikki Tucker and Morgan Ackermann totaled 12 points apiece, and Sabrina Whiting, who did most her damage with a 6-for-6 performance from the free-throw line, added nine points.
The Eagles held a 23-19 advantage at halftime.
Rollins remained in striking distance for much of the third, coming within three points of the Eagles, but ERAU ended the period on a 13-4 run and at the start of the fourth the lead had swelled to 48-35.
The final 10 minutes saw ERAU shoot 58.3 percent (7-of-12) from the field and go 7-of-7 from the free throw line to put the game out of reach.
“The team decided to wake up in the second half and execute the game plan and play harder and with more effort,” ERAU coach Lisa Nuxol-Wilson said. “Rollins is a very good, established program, and any win in this conference down the stretch is great to get! Tara Fields worked hard tonight and her teammates got her the ball with some great post feeds. I’m especially happy with how well we shot from the free throw line.
“We have a really special group of young ladies who play for each other, and focus on doing whatever the team needs on an given night. The unselfish play and commitment to defense is going to help us if we can continue that mentality "
The Eagles will travel to Fort Lauderdale to face Nova Southeastern at 2 p.m. on Saturday.
College of Central Fla. 84, DSC 69
DAYTONA BEACH — Destiny Arvinger had 17 points but Daytona State lost to the College of Central Florida. The Falcons host FSCJ at 6 p.m. next Wednesday.
Banks joins Hatters
Former McDonald's All-American nominee Day'Neshia Banks (Jacksonville Ribault High) joined Stetson as a mid-year transfer from Ole Miss. The 5-10 forward will have 2 1/2 years of eligibility remaining.