Bulls rally for 63-54 win at Stetson

DELAND — Stan Heath took a gamble Monday night at Stetson, holding out PG Anthony Collins with the hopes of healing the calf injury that’s limited him in the first three weeks of the season.

Without their floor leader, the Bulls found themselves tied with the Hatters with less than four minutes remaining but got a clutch 8-0 run and pulled out a 63-54 victory before a crowd of 1,063 at the Edmunds Center in their first road game of the season.

“I knew we’d a little bit out of sync, would have to fight for some baskets. I was pleased that our defense came to play,” said Heath, whose players got four stops during the 8-0 run.

The Bulls (4-2) got 20 points and nine rebounds from senior Toarlyn Fitzpatrick, and a huge spark off the bench from GJawanza Poland, who had19 points and10 rebounds. Martino Brock, filling in for Collins, had 10 points and seven rebounds, with only two turnovers in 34 minutes; walk-on Mike McCloskey had a career-best 11 minutes running the point, with two assists and no turnovers.

“We knew they were going to make runs. Coach Heath told me as point guard to make sure we stay together the whole time,” said Brock, who sat next to Collins on the bench, getting insight from the Bulls sophomore.

Stetson (2-2) played without its top scorer and rebounder, Adam Pegg, who was ejected from the previous game and had to sit out Monday’s game. G Joel Naburgs led Stetson with18 points.