NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball team (14-8, 9-5 Great Midwest) lost for the first time at Trojan Fieldhouse in conference play this season. Thomas More University (14-9, 9-6 Great Midwest) knocked off the Trojans 75-68. Marking one of the three lowest point totals for the Trojans this season.
It is the first meeting all-time between the two schools in men's basketball. The Trojans look to return the favor as they visit the Saints in Crestview Hill, Ky. on Thursday, February 29 at 6:30 PM (CT).
BREAKING IT DOWN
The Trojans looked to be on their way to moving to 8-0 and home in league play with a 25-8 start to the game. The Saints served notice it wasn't going to be that easy, turning in a 20-8 run that closed the Trojans 17-point lead to just five (33-28) with 2:50 left in the first half. Trevecca closed the half on an 8-0 run to rebuild their lead to 13 (41-28) at the half.
Trevecca extended their lead to 16 out of the gate in the second half, and again looked to be on their way to win No. 15 on the year. Trevecca led 51-35 with 16:10 to go after a 10-7 start to the second half. TMU rallied again, using a 23-6 run to take their first lead of the game at 58-57 with 8:26 to go on a Mitchell Rylee layup. Trevecca regained the lead on a
Jalen Page layup, but they would not lead again after Eli Howard hit a three-pointer putting the Saints up for good at 61-59. It was a part of a 15-7 run that pushed the Saint lead to as much as seven and secured the win.
KEY PLAYERS
Jalen Page led Trevecca with 19 points. Pete Lambesis had another double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Jamal Cannady also reached double figures in scoring with 14.
TEAM TIME
Trevecca shot 42.9% (24-56) from the field, but just 30.8% from three, going 8-26.
Thomas More outrebounded the Trojans 33-32 and shot 61% (19-31) from the field in the second half, including going 6-14 (42.9%) from three-point range. Trevecca turned the ball over 11 times, but the visitors only gave it back eight times. The Saints forced seven of those turnovers with steals while the Trojans only had four steals.
UP NEXT
Trevecca hosts rival and first-place Kentucky Wesleyan College on Thursday, February 15 at 7:30 PM.
Then, the home stand ends with the regular season home finale, Trevecca welcomes Tiffin University on Saturday at 1:00 PM in Trojan Fieldhouse. It is Senior Day for the Trojans.
