Steve Nafziger | Echo
The men's basketball team bounced back from an overtime loss on Saturday to beat the Brescia Bearcats Tuesday evening in Odle Arena by a final score of 78-65.
"It was an important game yesterday," said head coach Josh Andrews. "We want to get back to our winning ways."
The game featured a series of runs in the first half before the Trojans took control in the second. Taylor got out to an 18-10 lead early in the first half due to an 11-3 run and held on to that lead before the Bearcats came storming back with a 10-0 run of their own to put them up 27-25.
The Trojans fought back and finished the first half by scoring nine of the last 11 points, resulting in a 34-29 halftime lead. Taylor took the first six points to start the second half and did not relinquish their lead the rest of the game.
Getting to the free-throw line was once again a key to victory as Taylor doubled Brescia's made free throws 24-12.
"We want to push it in transition and get easy buckets, and that gets us to the line," Andrews said.
Strong defense also propelled the Trojans to the win as they held Brescia to under 40 percent from the field in both halves. TU also recorded seven blocked shots and four steals. The Trojans beat the Bearcats on the boards 47-26.
Taylor shot the ball well in the second half, knocking down 57 percent of their shots and making nearly 40 percent of their shots from deep.
"If teams are not focusing on trying to keep the ball out of the post, we know our bigs can score and draw fouls early," said senior guard Ben Raichel. "That helps to open up other areas as the game moves forward."
Raichel led all scorers with 19 points and tacked on four rebounds and two assists. Sophomore Kyle Stidom recorded his first double-double as a Trojan, adding 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Senior Josh Riikonen continued his dominant play in the paint as he scored 13 points, pulled down eight rebounds and blocked five shots. Junior Jesse Coffey was the only other Trojan scoring double figures as he knocked down three shots from behind the three-point line and two free throws to score his season average 11 points.
"We are becoming more comfortable in our offense and guys are beginning to understand and accept roles," Raichel said.
Taylor will be back on the court tomorrow at 3 p.m. as they host Ohio State-Newark before opening Crossroad League play.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
