MIAMI SHORES, Fla - Kicking off the new calendar year on their home court on Wednesday evening, the Barry University men's basketball led visiting Rollins for the bulk of the game until a late run by the Tars propelled them to a 77-75 result.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: Rollins 77, Barry 75
Records: Barry (7-5, 0-4 SSC), Rollins (4-8, 1-4 SSC)
All-Time Series: Barry trails 31-52

HOW IT HAPPENED:
1H | Barry held Rollins without a point for the opening four minutes, scoring eight points in the stretch before a Tars' free throw made it 8-1 with 15:35 left in the half. The Bucs created a double-digit lead off a triple before a 17-6 Rollins' stretch propelled them to an 18-17 advantage with 10:57 remaining in the half. Barry flipped the one-point lead behind a layup, responding to a Rollins' triple with a 6-0 run to boast a 26-21 advantage with 5:40 left in the half. Rollins reclaimed the lead at 29-28, knotting the score at 32-all before a 4-0 Barry spree and a triple from the visitors in the final minute created a 36-35 score in favor of the Bucs.

2H | Barry countered a Rollins' basket to start the second half with a 5-0 run to reclaim the lead at 41-37 with 17:59 left to play. Neither side orchestrated a run greater than five over the ensuing 12 minutes of action before a 7-0 Rollins rally propelled them to a 66-65 lead with 4:05 remaining in the contest. Rollins extended their lead to five off a 6-0 run following a pair of Barry free throws, with the Bucs getting within one at 74-73 and again at 76-75 with 18 seconds left.

NOTEWORTHY:

• James Montgomery paced the Bucs with 19 rebounds and 17 points.
• Adren Roberts scored 16 points with eight rebounds, two steals and one block.
• Ga'Khari Lacount scored 16 points off the bench with five three pointers.
• Malik Stanley dished out seven assists.
• Barry converted on 26-72 shots, going 8-35 from distance and 15-19 from the free throw line.
• Rollins went 27-59 from the field, 12-26 from three-point territory and 11-20 from the free throw line.
• Barry committed six turnovers, resulting in three points for the Tars. Rollins committed 11 turnovers, leading to 14 points for Barry.
• Barry held a 45-40 advantage in rebounds.
• Barry recorded eight steals with three blocks while Rollins had three steals and five blocks.
• Barry led for 31:56 minutes of the game.
• It is Barry's second-straight setback decided by two points or fewer. Of the Bucs' five losses, four have been in one-possession games.

ON THE HORIZON:
Barry travels to Saint Leo on Sunday, Jan. 6` for a Sunshine State Conference clash set to begin at 6 pm.