VIENNA, W.Va. – The Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball team (1-12, 1-7 G-MAC) fell to Ohio Valley University (6-8, 2-7 G-MAC), 75-74, in the Snyder Activity Center on Thursday night.

GAME ESSENTIALS

G-MAC MBK Standings | Stats | G-MAC Scores | 2019 Championship | D2 MBK Scores 

SERIES HISTORY/NOTES

The Trojans lead the all-time series with Ohio Valley 10-2. Entering tonight the Trojans had won the previous five meetings. The only other victory for the Fighting Scots came in 2016 in Vienna.

Austin Wills (SO/Benton, IL) connected for five 3-pointers and tied his career-high by finishing with 19 points.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Trojans jumped out to a hot 8-2 opening five minutes before OVU trimmed the deficit to two (10-8) at 13:25 … the Trojans briefly surrendered their first-half lead when Randall Hixson connected on back-to-back 3-pointers (14-12) … the lead lasted for just three minutes before the Trojans recaptured it with a Reed Smith (SO/Brentwood, TN) 3-pointer (24-21) … the Trojans protected a three-point lead 29-26 at the break … Ohio Valley chipped away at the Trojans lead to begin the second half … after trading baskets with 11:08 remaining OVU forced a tie at 46-46 … neither team could create separation as the Trojans largest lead came when Austin Wills hit a 3-pointer to put TNU up six, 66-60 … from there OVU converted on three consecutive possessions to lead 67-66 … the Trojans returned the favor by hitting back-to-back jumpers and a free-throw to lead 72-67 with :30 seconds to play … a made 3-pointer from OVU made it a two point game (72-70) before Imani Starling (SO/Nashville, TN) put the Trojans back up four (74-70) with :20 seconds to go … Ohio Valley scored the game's final five points to escape with a 75-74 victory after Kenneth Miller hit a free throw with 4.4 seconds in the game.

TEAM STATS BREAKDOWN

The Trojans shot a better clip from the floor 48.3% (28-58) than the Fighting Scots 43.1% (28-65) while the teams both made 44.4% (12-27) from 3-point range … the difference was Ohio Valley's one more made free-throw which sealed the game in the closing seconds … the Trojans edged the Fighting Scots 18-16 in assists while OVU out rebounded TNU 39-33 … the home team also had more blocks (6-1) and steals (6-3) to secure the win.

PLAYER STATS REPORT

Austin Wills tied his career-high with 19 points on 5-11 shooting from 3-point range … Evan Ragsdale (JR/Nashville, TN) (16) and Jaylon Tharpe (SO/Clarksville, TN) (13) also scored in double figures for the Trojans. Imani Starling (11) and Reed Smith (10) combined for 21 of the Trojans 33 rebounds.

WHAT'S NEXT    

The final game in the five-game road trip for the Trojans is set for Saturday when they challenge Ohio Dominican University (9-6, 5-3 G-MAC). TNU is 1-2 versus ODU all-time.

The Trojans return to Nashville for a five-game homestand beginning on January 24th when the first-place University of Findlay (14-2, 8-1 G-MAC) Oilers visits Trojan Fieldhouse.

MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS

Visit Official Home of Trevecca Athletics atwww.tnutrojans.com

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