GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Trinity men's basketball team (20-5, 12-2 SAA) trounced Southwestern University (12-13, 6-8 SAA) today, 90-65, to close out their first regular season SAA campaign, earning a share of the regular season championship. After breaking the game open midway through the first half, the Tigers never looked back.
The Trinity offensive attack was characterized by efficiency today, as they shot 50% from the field and 44% from three. The Pirates on the other hand shot just 32% from the field and 21% from three. The biggest difference on the box score was in the rebounding column, though, where the Tigers dominated with 52 boards to Southwestern's 29. Trinity had trouble holding onto the ball, giving up 18 turnovers to the Pirates' 14, but it couldn't make up for the canyon in field goal percentage and rebounding.
After gaining a big early lead, the Tigers spread the scoring love, as 15 players scored a bucket in today's game.
Joshua Chesney (Corpus Christi, Texas / London) led all scorers with 16 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist on 57% (4-7) shooting, taking all his shots from three.
Dean Balo (Dallas, Texas / JJ Pearce) added 11 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists on 50% (4-8) shooting.
Jackson Lawson (Southlake, Texas / Carroll) contributed 11 points on 57% (4-7) shooting from the field and 50% (1-2) from three.
The Rundown
Today's game was competitive for about 10 minutes. Tit-for-tat buckets defined the opening of the first half, as the lead never exceeded three for the first seven minutes of the game. The first inkling of separation came from a quick Trinity 5-0 run that gave them a 19-14 lead with 12:36 to go. With 11:25 to play, however, it looked like the trend of fierce competition may continue, as the Tigers led 22-19. In response, the dominance that had come to define Trinity's SAA campaign showed its claws as Chesney came alive on offense. Over the next 4:23, his 8 points propelled the Tigers to a 14-0 run that squashed any hope the Pirates may have garnered from their ability to hang tight over the game's first stretch. With 5:52 to play, Trinity led 36-19. Holding strong, they went up 20 points for the first time when a Balo three put them up 42-22 with 2:13 to go. Heading into the second half, the Tigers led 44-25.
The second half closely mirrored the first, as Southwestern hung tough before a huge Trinity run blew them out of the water. With 12:03 to go, the lead hadn't been extended as the Tigers still held a 63-41 lead. This time, it was
Benjamin Wagner (San Antonio, Texas / Cornerstone) whose big contributions led to the game opening run, as he scored 7 points to fuel the Tigers' 15 unanswered over the next 3:13. With 8:50 to go, they led 77-41 and the game was all but over. The Pirates were able to keep the lead there, but no dent was put into the lead. Set on cruise control, the Tigers left Georgetown with a massive 90-65 win.
Looking Ahead
After clinching the No. 2 seed in the SAA, the Tigers will play the winner of No. 3 Centre College (13-11, 6-8 SAA) vs No. 6 Sewanee (10-15, 6-8 SAA) in the Semifinals of the SAA Championships on Feb. 27. Sewanee swept Centre in the two regular season matchups this year, both games decided by six points or less. Trinity did not lose to either team this season.
