CLEVELAND, Miss. – The Trevecca Nazarene University men's basketball team (18-8, 13-7 GSC) secured a home playoff spot for the first time in program history during the D2 era with a 76-69 win at Delta State, as Trevecca seals a new program record for most conference wins in the D2 era.

THE SERIES

With the win, The Trojans sweep the regular season series against the Statesmen and improve to 2-0 historically against Delta State.
 
BREAKING IT DOWN 
 
Trevecca controlled the tempo from the start, forcing Delta State to be the aggressor as the Statesmen fought to stay in the race for a home playoff spot.
 
Delta State came out with full-court pressure early, but the Trojans adapted quickly, converting fast-break opportunities and attacking the rim. 
 
Spencer White opened the scoring with a layup, and although Delta State answered with a three-pointer, it marked their only lead of the night at 3-2.
 
Trevecca responded with a 14-5 run, stretching its lead to nine points. Delta State found some defensive stops but struggled offensively, missing key chances to cut into the deficit.
 
With six minutes left in the first half, the Statesmen trimmed the lead to one possession, but the Trojans answered with a 10-5 run to close out the half with an eight-point lead (34-26).
 
The second half followed a similar pattern. Delta State came out aggressive, but Trevecca's tight defense forced them into difficult shots. 
 
Once the Trojans settled in offensively, they extended their lead to as much as 16 points with 11 minutes remaining.
 
Even with a 15-point lead at the three-minute mark, Delta State refused to quit, mounting a 7-0 run to cut the deficit to eight with 1:57 left. However, Trevecca handled the late pressure, managed the clock effectively, and knocked down free throws to secure the 76-69 win.
 
THE PLAYERS 
 
Jalen Page led the Trojans with a game-high 30 points on an efficient 10-13 shooting, including 4-5 from three-point range.
 
Jikari Johnson followed with 18 points, adding five rebounds and three steals.
 
NaVuan Peterson provided a key boost off the bench, contributing 12 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes.
 
Spencer White grabbed a team high eight rebounds while Mateo Esmeraldo dished out a team high eight assists. 
 
THE TEAM
 
Trevecca shot 47.3% from the field and 38.1% from beyond the arc, while holding Delta State to 42.4% overall and just 26.9% from deep. The Trojans dominated the paint, outscoring the Statesmen 36-22 inside.
 
UP NEXT
 
Trevecca is back at the Fieldhouse to close out the regular season with two home matchups—Thursday against Union University (12-14, 8-12 GSC) at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday against Christian Brothers (10-15, 6-13 GSC) at 4:00 p.m.
 
With the win, the Trojans have secured a home playoff game on March 4 at 7:00 p.m. against a yet-to-be-determined opponent.