West Palm Beach, FL– The Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball team (0-1) opened their season with a 77-64 loss to Palm Beach Atlantic University at Rubin Arena on Friday night. Despite a strong first-half showing, the Trojans were outpaced in the second half, marking their first season-opening defeat in three years.
THE SERIES
This was the first time these two schools met in Men's Basketball.
BREAKING IT DOWN
The game began as a tight contest with neither team able to find any significant separation. Both teams exchanged leads early, with Trevecca relying on strong offensive performances from Jalen Page and Mateo Esmeraldo. Page led all scorers in the first half with 13 points. Esmeraldo chipped in nine points, keeping the Trojans within striking distance throughout the half.
Trevecca held brief leads at times but the Sailfish kept pace, and the half ended in a 33-33 tie, setting up what looked to be a competitive finish.
However, the second half told a different story. It was in the second 20 minutesmkm where the Sailfish found their groove. They ignited a 13-4 run to lead 54-44 in the 11:13 mark. The Sailfish capitalized on Trevecca's shooting woes and turnovers, creating separation with timely three-pointers and second-chance points.
Despite a valiant effort, including a few mini-runs that brought the deficit back to single digits, the Trojans couldn't sustain their offensive momentum. Palm Beach Atlantic closed the game strong, extending their lead to as much as 14 points and ultimately securing the 77-64 victory.
KEY PLAYERS
Jalen Page was a standout performer for the Trojans, finishing with a game-high 19 points on 7-16 shooting. He also contributed three assists and three rebounds, leading Trevecca's offensive charge, particularly in the first half where he scored 13 points.
Mateo Esmeraldo added nine points in the first half and finished the game with nine points, three rebounds, and three assists. His early scoring provided a much-needed boost to keep Trevecca competitive in the opening 20 minutes.
Jikari Johnson chipped in 15 points, six rebounds, and two assists. He attacked the rim effectively, earning multiple trips to the free-throw line where he converted 6-11 attempts.
NaVuan Peterson was a force on the boards, grabbing a team-high nine rebounds while adding eight points. His physical presence in the paint was crucial in limiting Palm Beach Atlantic's offensive rebounds early on.
For Palm Beach Atlantic, Will Lee led the way with 18 points, including four three-pointers. Alvin Tumblin posted a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Jordon Walker added seven points and nine boards.
THE TEAM
Trevecca shot 36% from the field (22-61), compared to Palm Beach Atlantic's 45% (30-67). The Trojans struggled from beyond the arc, connecting on just 22% (6-27), while the Sailfish shot a respectable 35% (6-17).
Rebounding proved to be a pivotal factor, as Palm Beach Atlantic held a 45-33 advantage on the glass, including 14 offensive boards. The Sailfish also outscored the Trojans 20-12 in second-chance points and 19-9 in fastbreak points, capitalizing on Trevecca's turnovers.
UP NEXT
The Trojans will look to regroup quickly as they take on Embry-Riddle tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. Trevecca aims to secure its first win of the season and gain momentum as the early season continues.
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