San Antonio, TEXAS – The No. 15 Trinity men's basketball team will be back on the road this Saturday, Dec. 6, at the University of St. Thomas (5-1), before heading home for a rematch with the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (2-3) on Tuesday, Dec. 9. The Tigers moved up one spot in the national rankings this week after winning their last four games.
Last time out, the Tigers bested Hardin-Simmons University 81-73 in their first game at home this season.
Jackson Lawson set a career-high of 21 points on 54% (7-13), leading the team in scoring for the first time this year.
Ben Estis was also in double-digit scoring figures, recording 11 points and 5 rebounds on 50% (4-8) shooting.
Zach Fenn, Trinity's all-time leader in steals, recorded 4 against the Cowboys, the fifth time in just seven games he has recorded four or more steals. With 29 on the season, he's projected to smash the single-season record of 76, held by Charles Houston.
Preview - Familiar Opponents
On the St. Thomas Celts: The Celts are the first team out of the top 25, thanks to a record that boasts just one loss to No. 4 Washington University (St. Louis) by only a point on the road. This upcoming matchup promises to be a good one, as they have beaten two of Trinity's previous opponents, Hardin-Simmons and Mary Hardin-Baylor, by nearly the same margins that the Tigers did. A solid scoring team, shooting 46% from the field and 38% from three, their key strength lies on the defensive end. They have forced an average of 20.3 turnovers per game, including a dominant 32 in their first outing against the College of Biblical Studies (2-11).
St. Thomas is led by junior guard Corey Thompson, who averages 15.8 points on an efficient 52% shooting. He's been lethal from deep thus far with a 52% three-point percentage, and has been a key for the Celts defensively, nabbing nearly 4 steals a game.
On the Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) Crusaders: UMHB has struggled this season, with its only two wins coming against 2-5 Belhaven University and winless Centenary College. After a tough opening night shooting the ball against Trinity, however, they have turned things around and are shooting a respectable 45% from the field and 40% from three. They have slightly outscored and outrebounded their opponents so far this year, suggesting their sub-.500 record may not reflect the quality of this year's Crusaders' squad.
UMHB is led by senior guard Hudson Johnson, who averages 18.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists on 39% shooting overall and 49% from three. Johnson had 22 points in the Crusaders' opening loss to the Tigers. Senior wing Zach Engels has been a force on every level of the floor, averaging 14.8 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists on an efficient 56% shooting from the field and 50% from three. He had 15 points and 14 assists against the Tigers.
Looking Ahead
The Tigers will host the Leslie Robinson Classic, beginning on Dec. 20, as part of their six-game home stand. Trinity will play Saint John's University (2-3) on Dec. 20 and the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (5-1) on Dec. 21.
