Jeff Yoder
The Taylor University men's basketball team rallied back from a 9-point halftime deficit before falling to Indiana Tech 54-53 on a Warrior 3-point buzzer beater Nov. 14 in Odle Arena.
"It is a disappointing loss," Taylor Head Coach Paul Patterson said. "We had so many opportunities to take control and we didn't. We have to step up in those situations."
The two teams kept it close throughout the early goings, knotting the score up at 18 apiece with 8:47 remaining in the half. Before heading to the locker room, the Warriors were able to spark a 17-8 run to end the half.
Indiana Tech's big spark came from hot shooting all over the court.
They finished the first half shooting 58 percent from the field and 44 percent from behind the arc.
The Trojans, meanwhile, struggled down the stretch, shooting 44 percent from the field and going 0-for-5 from 3-point range.
"They did some things we weren't sure they could do," said Patterson. "We didn't help each other defensively the way we needed to, especially after doing that so well last weekend."
Coming out of the half, Taylor found their offensive rhythm, exploding on a 12-4 run to start things off, and cutting the lead to just three. After a three-point shot by Indiana Tech to end the run, the Trojans managed to put together another run, scoring seven straight to take a 45-44 lead.
Down the stretch, Indiana Tech was able to take a five-point lead with 2:18 remaining in the game.
Senior Casey Coons responded with a 3-pointer, followed by another three-pointer by junior Ben Raichel, putting the Trojans up one, and setting up a crazy finish.
Trailing 51-50, with 26 seconds left in the game, Indiana Tech forward Melvin Brooks was fouled and found himself standing at the free-throw line.
After making the first free-throw, and tying the game up, Brooks missed the second, and senior Tommy Peller was able to pull down the rebound.
On the ensuing Taylor possession, Coons drove through the lane, managing to dish off a pass to sophomore Tyler Waite, who then laid it in with 2.3 second in the game, giving the Trojans' a 53-51 lead.
On the inbound pass, an Indiana Tech player heaved the ball down court where Brooks managed to catch the ball, turn around, and sink a 3-point shot as the buzzer sounded.
Taylor (2-1) played much tighter defensive in the second half, holding Indiana Tech (4-0) to 32 percent shooting from the field, and allowing only 19 points.
The Warriors finished shooting 46 percent from the field and 50 percent from beyond the arc.
Taylor, which finished shooting 50 percent from the field and 30 percent from 3-point range, never attempted one free throw in the entire game.
Taylor will be back in action Nov. 10 when they travel to UM-Dearborn.
Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.
