Rollins College men’s basketball defeated Florida Memorial 87-56 on Nov. 9, 2026, in Winter Park, Fla., to open the 2026-27 season. Austin Cripe led Rollins with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. The victory moved Rollins to 1-0 overall and 0-0 in the Sunshine State Conference.
Rollins took control from the opening possession, collecting three offensive rebounds before Jackson Gaffney scored on a tip-in. Henry Sandberg and Ryan Renfro each added four points during the early run, which put Rollins ahead 10-0 at the first media timeout. Florida Memorial scored after the break in play, but Rollins continued to build its advantage.
Cripe, Kanye Jones and Michael Niemann helped extend the lead with 3-point shooting during the first half. Rollins reached a 29-9 advantage, and Jones scored six points during the final three minutes of the half. Cripe then made a 3-pointer with one second remaining before halftime to send Rollins into the break ahead 53-24.
Cripe leads balanced attack
Cripe finished 6-for-7 from the field and 5-for-6 from 3-point range. Gaffney and Niemann each scored 13 points, while Trye O’Neil made three 3-pointers off the bench. Five Rollins players finished in double figures.
Gaffney helped Rollins maintain its pressure after halftime, making a 3-pointer and finishing a drive with a dunk with 14:56 remaining. The sequence gave Rollins its largest lead of the game at 33 points. Rollins also recorded 22 assists on 29 made field goals.
Rollins shot 29-for-61 overall and 15-for-33 from 3-point range. Head coach Kevin Hogan used the advantage to work the bench into the game, and all 14 dressed Rollins players saw action. Freshman Medi Angyal made two free throws, Jake Freeman recorded two steals and freshman Grayson Kegerreis played one minute while attempting one shot and two free throws.
Rollins held Florida Memorial scoreless over the final 2:04 to complete the 87-56 victory. The performance combined a large halftime advantage with efficient perimeter shooting and contributions throughout the lineup. Rollins now turns to its South Region crossover schedule.
Upcoming schedule
Rollins will play Clark Atlanta University on Nov. 13, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Lynn University in Boca Raton. The team will then face Albany State University on Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. and Fort Valley State University on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m.
Rollins is also scheduled to play Beacon College on Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. and the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon on Nov. 23 at 7:30 p.m. The schedule lists both games against Beacon College and the University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon as Rollins home contests.
FSB Take
Rollins established a strong offensive foundation in its opener through 15-for-33 3-point shooting and 22 assists on 29 made field goals. Cripe provided the leading individual performance, while five players reached double figures and all 14 dressed players entered the game. That distribution gives Rollins several contributors to carry into its upcoming five-game schedule.
Source: Original report