NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball team (11-3, 6-0 Great Midwest) rattled off its sixth straight conference win and first-ever win over Hillsdale College (9-5, 4-3, Great Midwest), 79-52, in Trojan Fieldhouse on Thursday night.
With the win, Trevecca remains the only undefeated team in Great Midwest play at 6-0.
The Trojans set the NCAA-era school record for a team field goal percentage 64% (32-50) which breaks the record of 63.3% set by the team in the inaugural NCAA season in 2012-13.
With the perfection of Drew Blackston not only from range but from inside the arc as well, a new NCAA-era school record for field goal percentage 100% (8-8) was set. Adam Webb hit 7-7 during the 2020-21 campaign versus Walsh.
Trevecca earned its first-ever win over Hillsdale with the win. Before tonight's victory, the closet margin of defeat was the initial meeting between the Trojans and Chargers when Hillsdale won 76-73 in Trojan Fieldhouse on 11-30-2017. Hillsdale won the first 13 meetings.
BREAKING IT DOWN
Playing with a full home crowd for the first time in 2024, the Trojans wasted little time bringing life to the Fieldhouse. The opening four minutes saw some tough, tight back and forth basketball with the Trojans collecting the lead for good in the half at 10-8 with 15:37 to play. Behind three big 3-pointers from
Drew Blackston, Trevecca stretched out to as much as a 14-point lead at 27-13 with 9:10 to go in the half. Hillsdale relied on its 3-point game to cut back into and make it a 31-26 game with just under five minutes to play. The Trojans shot a historic 73.9% from the field in the half making 17 of their 23 shots. Trevecca led 39-28 at halftime behind a combined 23 points from Jamal Cannady (12) and
Drew Blackston (11).
The Trojans wasted little time in the second half adding to the halftime lead by scoring the first five points. The tide shifted for good in the half during a four and half minute stretch midway through. Trevecca's 48-35 lead turned into a 60-38 advantage in part
Jalen Page scoring eight of his 17-point performance. It was
Drew Blackston, however, that stole the show with four of his seven 3-pointers coming in the half. Blackston's previous season-high was five made 3-pointers in the win versus Northwood on 12-2-23. Blackston's final 3-pointer culminated in a game-high 30-point advantage for Trevecca at 79-49 with 3:13 to play. The Chargers made one last basket to cut into the deficit, while Trevecca finished off the night with the 79-52 victory.
KEY PLAYERS
Drew Blackston led the way for Trevecca shooting a perfect 8-8 from the field to finish with a team-high 24 points. Blackston was 7-7 from range and tacked on four assists as well. Jamal Cannady added 20 points and four rebounds while
Jalen Page finished with 17 points.
TEAM TIME
The Trojans shot an NCAA-era school record 64.0% (32-50) from the field, 42.9% (9-21) from deep, and 66.7% (6-9) from the foul line.
Hillsdale out rebounded Trevecca 31-28, but the Trojans held the Chargers to just 33.9% (21-62) from the field, 28.1% (9-32) from deep, and just 33.3% (1-3) from the foul line.
UP NEXT
Northwood University visits Trojan Fieldhouse for the "White Out" game on Saturday, Jan. 13 for a women's (8-5, 4-2 Great Midwest) and men's (3-11, 0-6 Great Midwest) doubleheader at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
