NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In the current state of how basketball is played, the prevailing wisdom is that the most value lies in the long-range offense. On Sunday, the Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball team proved you can still control and win the game in the painted area.
Trevecca (1-1) picked up the first win of the Nathan Moran era in the second game of the 2025 Robert Garrett Classic as the Trojans controlled the painted areas on both ends of the floor, and that helped the Trojans take the win over Embry-Riddle (Fla.) (1-1), 88-82. The meeting was just the second ever between the two teams - the other coming in Daytona Beach in November of 2003 - and the Treveca win levels the all-time series at a win apiece.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Trevecca went without a field goal for the first 3:31 of play, and in that time, Embry-Riddle opened a 7-3 lead. Trevecca, though, battled back and took the lead with a quick 6-point burst that gave the Trojans the lead at 15-14 with 13:30 to go in the half. Over the next five minutes, the Eagles knocked down five 3-pointers to open a 33-24 lead, but again, the Trojans had an answer. Trevecca put together a 14-1 run that saw them hold the Eagles without a field goal for more than five minutes as the Trojans surged in front 38-34. Over the final four minutes of the half, the game got progressively closer, and it featured six lead changes - the final one coming on a layup from Mason Brown that gave Trevecca the 46-45 halftime lead.
The teams played close to the vest in the early stages of the second half, with Embry-Riddle knotting the score at 55 all on a pair of free throws with 12:53 left on the clock. Over the next 2:29, though, Trevecca seized control on the floor. Trevecca made six straight shots, held the Eagles to 0-for-4 shooting, and the Trojans forced a pair of turnovers as a part of a 15-0 run that helped the Trojans open a 70-55 lead. Trevecca held a double-digit lead for most of the rest of the game, and though the Eagles did whittle into the margin in the final minute, Trevecca held on to win the game 88-82.
The Robert Garrett Classic this weekend revives a tradition started during the 2004-05 season. That year, just before the season, the Trojans lost guard Robert Garrett in a car crash just before the start of the fall semester, and the tournament was played seven times between 2004-05 and 2011-12 before it became dormant. In those seven iterations of the event, Trevecca was 12-2. The Classic was played on one other occasion - in the 2022 season when the Trojans won both of their games. All together now, through the 2025 version of the classic, Trevecca is 15-3 in the event.
THE TEAM
Trevecca made 43.8 percent (28-of-64) from the floor, though they made only eight of 34 (23.5%) 3-pointers. At the foul line, Trevecca was 24-of-30 (80%). Trevecca was out-rebounded 44-38, but the Trojans grabbed 10 offensive boards that they turned into 14 second chance points. The Trojans also held the 40-32 edge in points in the paint, they led the battle of the benches 45-31, and Trevecca dominated on the fast break to the tune of 29-3.
THE PLAYERS
Four Trojans scored in double figures. Fred Bailey and Jax Abernathy each had 15 points, Trey Moore chipped in a dozen, and Justin Bass added 11. Moore grabbed a team-best seven boards and dished out six assists as well.
UP NEXT
The Trojans will continue their season with a rare weekday matinee game on Wednesday, November 19. Trevecca will host Oakwood University (Ala.) (1-4) for an 11 a.m. tip-off at the Trojan Fieldhouse. The game will be the Trojans' final home game before Gulf South Conference play opens.
MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS
Visit the Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com | www.trevecca.edu
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