HOUSTON – The Trinity University men's basketball team fell to the University of St. Thomas (TX) 81-69 in a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup, snapping their 14 game win streak.
This was just the second loss for the Tigers in conference this season, dropping to 20-4 overall and 13-2 in SCAC play, while St. Thomas improved to 22-2 overall and 14-1 in the conference.
Trinity struggled offensively in the first half, shooting just 34.8% from the field and 28.6% from three-point range, allowing St. Thomas to build a commanding 39-20 lead at halftime. The Tigers responded with a much stronger second half, shooting 58.6% and outscoring the Celts 49-42 after the break, but the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
Ty Williams (Pearland, Texas / Pearland) led the Tigers with 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting.
Dean Balo (Dallas, Texas / JJ Pearce) added 12 points, while
Jacob Harvey (Huffman, Texas / Hargrave) and
Jacob Millhouse (Plano, Texas / Independence) each chipped in eight.
The Rundown
St. Thomas set the pace early with efficient shooting, hitting 59.3% from the field and 5-of-8 from three-point range in the first half. Trinity kept pace in the opening minutes, with Balo drilling a three-pointer off an assist from Harvey to get the Tigers on the board.
Ty Williams added a pair of early baskets, but St. Thomas responded with a 14-5 run. The Celts capitalized on Trinity's turnovers, turning them into fast-break points to build a 39-20 halftime lead.
Trinity came alive in the second half, led by Williams, who scored 10 of his 15 points after the break. The Tigers shot 58.6% in the second period, with Balo and
Zach Austin (Clarkson, Mich. / Clarkson) providing a spark. Austin was a perfect 4-for-4 from the field for nine points, while
Carter Ruck (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) made his mark at the free-throw line, hitting 5-of-6 to finish with seven points.
A 14-2 run midway through the half brought Trinity back within single digits, as Williams and Balo connected on key shots, and Millhouse sank a three-pointer to cut the deficit to 11 with just over eight minutes to play. However, St. Thomas responded with clutch free throws and timely baskets, holding off the Tigers' surge
.
Up Next
Trinity close out the regular season with a trip to Colorado College this Sunday, with tip-off set for 1pm (MT)
