Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ University broke their winless overtime streak as they toppled Trevecca Nazarene University 85-83 in overtime. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ improves to 12-11 overall and 2-6 in conference play. Trevecca Nazarene falls to 15-7 overall and 6-2 in the TranSouth. Trevecca Nazarene was atop the TranSouth conference coming into tonight’s contest and ranked No. 31 in last weeks poll but expected to rise in the new polls.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ jumped out to an early lead on hot shooting by the Bulldogs from three-point land. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ made their first four three pointers with junior guard Will Harris making three of those. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ led by as much as 10 in the first half, but the Trojans used the loud home crowd to spark a comeback and cut the lead to just three at the half, 38-35. In the second half, the score remained close as neither team could break away. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ controlled the lead for the majority of the time and led by one point with 30 seconds remaining. A three pointer by Trevecca’s Darryl Keckler with 11 seconds left in regulation gave the Trojans a two point lead. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµâ€™s Bruno Martinessi then tied the game after a Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ timeout to send the game to overtime tied at 71. In overtime, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ took control early with a quick four point lead. With under a minute remaining, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ took a four point lead on two free throws by Will Harris. Yet another late game three pointer by Keckler would cut the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ led to just one point with under two second remaining. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ Chima Abakwue made one of two free throws to give Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ the 85-83 lead and a desperation attempt by Trevecca fell short. With that, Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ earned their second conference win of the year.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ was led by two players with a double-double and four players in double figures in points. Will Harris talled game-highs with his 23 points and 13 rebounds. He shot 4-of-6 from behind the arc. Bruno Martinessi added 21 points, Derrick Underwood talled 17 points and 11 boards, while Chima Abakuwe scored 10 points. Trevecca also had four players in double figures led by Kekler’s 20 points on 4-of-7 shooting from behind the arc. Jerod Austin added 19 points while Marshall Hyler and Brandon Howard added 15 points apiece. Austin grabbed nine boards for Trevecca. Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ shot 50% from the field including 48% (11-23) from behind the arc. The Trojans shot 45% from the field and 31% (6-26) from three-point land.