Men's Basketball 1/2/2021 12:00:00 AM

Trevecca Men's Basketball | Trojans outlast Malone at home to start 2021 with a G-MAC win

Box Score

NASHVILLE, Tenn– In a game with 16 lead changes, the Trevecca Nazarene University Men's Basketball team (2-5, 2-4 Great Midwest) won its first game of 2021, 58-57 in a nail-biter over Malone (0-1, 0-1 Great Midwest) on Saturday, despite being without several key players.

The shorthanded Trojans were without Chris Rogers, Brendan Newton, Calvin Walker, Gabriel McKay, and others but were able to defeat Malone in the Pioneers' season opener with big games from senior leaders Adam Webb and Imani Starling.

SERIES HISTORY/NOTES

It was the eighth ever meeting between Trevecca and Malone, and the Trojans now trail 2-6 all-time in the series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

There was hardly any separation between the two teams in the first half, with the largest lead coming with 3:45 to play before halftime as Trevecca's Adam Webb made a free throw to give the Trojans a 24-20 lead. Malone would outscore Trevecca 6-4 down the stretch of the first half, and the Trojans held a 28-26 lead at the break. It was one of Trevecca's best shooting halves of the season from the floor, as the Trojans hit on 12-of-27 field goal attempts for 44.4%. However, Trevecca only converted on one of six three-point tries in the first half, when freshman Robbie Rusciano nailed a corner three with 8:15 to play before halftime. Both Imani Starling and Webb were in double figures in the first half, with 12 and 10 points, respectively. Webb collected six rebounds in the first 20 minutes, and Trevecca held Malone to 11-of-30 shooting.

The second half held a similar theme, with several lead changes. Trevecca trailed 33-32 with over 15 minutes to play but responded with a 19-6 run that gave the Trojans a 51-39 lead with over five minutes to play. Webb scored eight points during this stretch. Malone answered with some momentum, scoring 12 straight points. The game was tied at 51 with three minutes to play and tied again at 56 with only one minute left as both teams traded buckets down the stretch. Malone was able to draw a foul inside the final minute, and Bryce Butler converted on one of two free throws to give the Pioneers a 57-56 lead with 12 seconds left. Trevecca would get the ball back with an opportunity to win on the final possession, and drew a foul on Marcus Ernst, sending Adam Webb to the line with four seconds to play. Webb hit both free throws for a 58-57 lead, and the Trojans were able to hang on in the waning seconds for the win.

PLAYER STATS BREAKDOWN

Senior Adam Webb had his best game of the 2020-2021 season with a double-double, scoring 22 points on nine of 16 shooting, pulling down 13 rebounds, and adding three assists and three blocks. Senior Imani Starling scored a career high, converting 10 of his 16 field goal attempts for 20 points, eight rebounds, and four assists. Freshman Robbie Rusciano was third in scoring with six points, hitting two crucial three-pointers on three attempts. Austin Wills and Hank Hutcheson added three points each, Jaylon Tharpe scored two points with four assists, and Sam Champlin added two points.

Malone's Bo Myers and Bryce Butler led the Pioneers with 18 points each, with Myers picking up nine rebounds and Butler grabbing eight rebounds and five assists. Jaret Majestic added 11 points on a three of nine shooting night from deep.

TEAM STATS BREAKDOWN

It was a slow night shooting the three-pointer for Trevecca, converting on three of 16 attempts, but the Trojans made up for it with a 55% clip from inside the arc, shooting 22-of-40 on two-point attempts. The Trojans made 25-of-56 total field goal attempts (44.6%) and five of eight free throws. Trevecca was outrebounded 42-36, but outscored Malone in the paint 30-24. The Trojans turned the ball over nine times compared to Malone's five.

The Malone Pioneers opened up their season shooting 23-of-66 from the floor (34.8%), eight of 30 from beyond the arc (26.7%) and three of eight from the free throw line.

WHAT'S NEXT

After the first Great Midwest home game of the season, Trevecca has a busy week on the docket, remaining at home for three conference games.

The Trojans have a quick turnaround, playing on Monday, January 4 against Walsh. The Trojans will play Cedarville on Thursday and Tiffin on Saturday. All three games will take place at Trojan Fieldhouse in Great Midwest play.

MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS

Visit Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com

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