San Antonio, TEXAS – The Trinity men's basketball team (17-5, 9-2 SAA) will take a road trip this Valentine's Day weekend to face Oglethorpe University (6-15, 3-7 SAA) on Feb. 13, before matching up with Berry College (9-12, 5-5 SAA) on Feb. 15.
 
Despite a loss this past weekend, the Tigers are still full steam ahead with momentum. After a one-point loss to No. 24 Rhodes College in a game that saw Trinity shoot 47% from the field, they earned a 15-point win over Millsaps College, against whom they managed a four-point win earlier this season after surviving a late Majors surge. Going into the weekend, they had won five straight, including four games in which they scored more than 95 points. Still sitting in second in the SAA table, well clear of third-place Berry, the Tigers are looking to close the regular season out strong, heading into the SAA Championships, beginning on Feb. 26.
 
Last Time Out
 
Against Millsaps, it was the Tigers' ability to shut down Millsaps from the field that garnered them the big win. The Majors were able to muster just a 32% field goal percentage, including a 25% mark in the second half. Trinity had another solid shooting game, making 48% of their field goals, although struggling from three, hitting 29% of their shots from deep. It was Joshua Chesney who highlighted the Tiger attack in his first career start, netting a career-high 15 points on 63% (5-8) shooting. Dean Balo, Will Bronson and Jackson Lawson were the three other players in double figures.
 
Preview - Valentine's with Petrels and Vikings
 
On the Oglethorpe Stormy Petrels: Oglethorpe, sitting in last place in the SAA standings, have struggled so far this season. They've shot 44% from the field and 30% from three, but it's the rebounding edge that's killed them the most. While keeping turnovers relatively low, giving the ball up 10.9 times per game, their -10.3 per game margin in the rebounding column has resulted in their opponents putting up an average of 5 shots more per game. It was that edge that allowed Trinity to emerge with a 102-74 rout the first time these two teams matched up in January, when the Tigers grabbed 49 boards to Oglethorpe's 37. Look for Will Bronson's inside presence to be a big factor against the Stormy Petrels once again.
 
Oglethorpe is led by senior guard Malachi Dooley, who averages 19.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He was quiet last time against Trinity, scoring just 7 points on 22% (2-9) shooting. Senior guard Jackson Kemp was the Stormy Petrels' leading scorer against the Tigers, recording 16 points and 13 rebounds, although shooting 36% (5-14) from the field. He's averaging 12.5 points and 7.4 rebounds on the season. 
 
On the Berry Vikings: The Vikings are third in the SAA thus far, having been a firmly middle-of-the-road team in every statistical category. They're shooting 43% from the field and 33% from three, grab 0.3 rebounds less per game than their opponents and give the ball up 13 times per game on average. They've been effective shooting the ball lately, though, making 49% of their shots over the last five games. It was struggles in rebounding and shotmaking that led to their 66-87 defeat at Trinity in January, as they made 40% of their shots to the Tigers' 50%, and grabbed 7 fewer rebounds in the loss. 
 
Junior guard Cameron Pope leads the Vikings with 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game on 48% shooting. He had 7 points and 5 turnovers against the Tigers in their last matchup. Junior guard Drew Winegarden, who averages 9.6 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game, was Berry's leading scorer against Trinity, with 15 points, 6 rebounds and 2 steals on 50% (5-10) shooting from the field, taking all his shots from beyond the arc. Sophomore forward Nile King, who was the only other Viking in double figures with 14 points, has been sidelined since Jan. 18.
 
Looking Ahead
 
The Tigers will wrap up their regular season by heading up I-35 to take on Southwestern University (10-12, 4-7 SAA) on Feb. 21. The SAA Championships, hosted by Berry, will begin on Feb. 26. Trinity, who has already clinched a bid to the tournament, will join the conference's other top five teams to compete for the title.