Men’s Basketball Grabs CCAC Victory  (2/9/08)
For the second time this week the Trolls grabbed an exciting close-game victory. A 60-59 win at Trinity International University (IL) puts the team (15-10) in a first place tie in the conference standings with a 7-2 CCAC record.
 
The Trolls’ defensive efforts are helping to keep them at the top of the CCAC standings and to win games. That certainly was the case against Trinity International as they held the Trojans to shooting only 33.8% and kept the lead despite not scoring in the final five minutes of the game.
 
Throughout most of the first half only a few points separated the teams. In the final minutes of the period the Trolls gained the upper hand and by half were up by two points, 38-36.
 
The second period remained tight with the lead going back and forth. With 5:33 to play Trinity went ahead by six points, 60-54. That was the last time they scored in the period. With 2:37 left TIU made it 60-57 on a three-point play. They pulled to within two just seconds later on a free throw. The Trojans hit the front end of a bonus shot with 1:08 to play to make it a one-point game, 60-59. The Trolls did not get the ball to fall on their next attempt nor did they convert on the bonus that followed. With 13 seconds left the Trojans had the ball, but failed to make their last attempt count.
 
Three players were in double figure scoring for the Trolls. Ross Stuursma had 15, Kurt Gruppen scored 14, and Jonathan Huizinga chipped in 10. Ebiowei Porbeni ended the game with seven rebounds while Michael Thompson and Will Bruinsma each had six.
 
The Trolls will continue conference play on February 13 at home against Purdue University-North Central at 7:30 pm.  

 

back to athletics news