Irving, Texas - The Trinity Tigers men's
basketball team wrapped up its regular-season campaign with a 63-55
non-conference victory Saturday night over the University of
Dallas Crusaders at Maher Center.
The Tigers, who have won three straight games, improved to 13-12
overall. The Crusaders dropped to 11-13.
Trinity junior forward Luke Caldarera of Houston (Katy Taylor),
led the game with 22 points, one point shy of his season high.
Caldarera shot 9-14 from the field, and tied for the team lead in
rebounds, with seven. He earlier reached the 900-career points
mark.
Senior guard Michael Tobolowsky of Dallas (Greenhill School),
added 17 points, on 6-7 shooting from the field, and 3-4 in 3-point
range. Tobolowsky also accounted for seven rebounds and five
steals.
Bart Taylor, a senior guard from San Antonio (St. Mary's Hall),
grabbed six rebounds, and scored seven points. Sophomore guard Ryan
Beall of Santa Barbara, Calif. (Dos Pueblos), also put up seven
points, along with three assists and two steals.
Dallas was paced by Jim Norton's 19 points. Travis Ekmark had a
double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds.
The Tigers, who led 33-25 at halftime, shot 57 percent in the first
half, to 37 percent for the Crusaders. Shooting played a major role
in the game, as Trinity registered a season-high from the field, at
56.8 percent (25-44). Dallas hit 38.9 percent (21-54). Trinity held
a 34-27 advantage in rebounding.
Trinity will compete Feb. 26- 28 at the eight-team Southern
Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament at Millsaps in Jackson,
Miss. At stake is an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III
playoffs. Trinity stands at 9-7 in conference play, and is tied
with Southwestern for second place in the SCAC West Division. The
Tigers were 58-49 winners over Southwestern last Friday at
Georgetown, Texas.
SCAC Tournament pairings are forthcoming.