PITTSBURGH – The Trinity men's basketball team (5-1) kept rolling today, picking up a win at La Roche University (1-5), 90-77. The Tigers ended their road trip with the most efficient shooting performance they've had all season and a huge margin on the glass to pick up the win.
Will Bronson (Dallas, Texas / Jesuit) was monstrous in the victory, recording his second straight double-double with 24 points on a nearly perfect 89% (8-9) shooting and 10 rebounds.
Dylan Walker (Highland Park, Texas / Highland Park) posted 15 points and 5 rebounds while shooting 43% (3-7) from beyond the arc.
Dean Balo (Dallas, Texas / JJ Pearce) was the final Tiger in double-digits, tallying 10 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists.
Gabe Parr (Austin, Texas / Westwood) and
Ben Estis (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) were key in the rebounding battle, both posting career-highs of 8 and 7 rebounds, respectively.
The Rundown
The Redhawks capitalized on their possessions early, converting on shot attempts and grabbing offensive rebounds for second-chance points. The game was close through much of the first quarter until the Tigers began to struggle scoring the ball, going scoreless from the field from 14:50 to 10:12. La Roche capitalized on the away team's slump to build up an 11-point lead midway through the first half, leading 29-18 with 10:17 to go. In the second half of the period, the shooting fortunes shifted, and Trinity began to regain ground as the shots started to fall. The Tigers, who battled all the way back from a 19-point deficit against Marietta College just three days prior, were not going to led the double-digit lead break their spirits. In the final 10 minutes of the period, Trinity outscored La Roche by 13 to take a 43-38 lead heading into the break.
The Tigers were lights out from the field in the first half, shooting 55% (16-29) overall and 46% (6-13) from three. The Redhawks were not far behind, shooting 46% (15-33) from the field and 43% (6-14) from three. All other major stat categories were relatively even between the two teams.
It was a Bronson show in the second half, as he recorded 18 points on 86% (6-7) shooting and 8 rebounds in the period. Trinity came out of halftime hot, going on a 9-2 run in the first three minutes, 6 of which were Bronson's points, to extend their lead to double-digits for the first time, 52-41. The Tiger train kept on rolling, opening up a lead as large as 18 with 11:01 left to play. Just then, the Redhawks' scoring machine that had struggled massively in the first half of the period came to life, going on a 14-2 run to bring the game back within striking distance, 71-65 with 6:43 left to play. It wouldn't get any closer, though, as the Tigers closed things out strong and the La Roche scoring machine fell silent again, leaving Trinity with a 90-77 win.
The Tigers didn't let the Redhawks get anywhere close to the glass in the second half, grabbing 26 rebounds while allowing La Roche to corral just 7. Trinity remained efficient from the field despite struggling from three, shooting 55% (17-31) overall and 14% (1-7) from deep. La Roche was a step behind once again, making 45% (14-31) of their shots and 30% (3-10) from three.
Looking Ahead
After playing the first six games of the season away, the Tigers return to San Antonio for their home opener against Hardin-Simmons University (4-2) on Nov. 30.
