Matt Csakai | Echo
In what was a disappointing end to their season, the men's basketball team dropped their final game to Indiana Wesleyan by a score of 102-78.
Sophomore guards Ryan Robinson and Mason Degenkolb led the Trojan effort, combining for 38 points. Junior guard Evan Crowe netted 12 points for the Trojans, who could not get themselves out of the hole they dug themselves into at halftime.
Taylor faced a 22 point deficit heading into halftime down 51-29, and although the Trojans offense picked up in the second half, they were still out scored 51-49. The Trojans shot 47.6 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from behind the arc.
This will have been the final game for the senior class this year, as the team is graduating five seniors: forward Keaton Hendricks, guard Tim Fleming, forward Joe Ingersoll, guard Graham Ortmann, and guard Christian Allen.
"The seniors have been instrumental in growing leadership for the Kingdom," said head coach Josh Andrews. "Guys are engaged, and this shows in their growth into men."
Prior to this game, the men finished the regular season in a loss to Grace in Winona Lake, Indiana. The Trojans were led by Crowe, who scored 30 points to get himself to 1,000 points scored in his Taylor career. He became the 40th player to reach this total in a career, and he will be coming back next season.
"We were able to score with them most of the game; we just went through a few dry stretches that caused them to get out in front a little bit," Crowe said.
The Trojans ended with a winning record this year, marking two seasons in a row they have done so. The group next year will be different from this year, but will retain the same players from this season, minus the five graduates.
The off-season will be full of hard work and getting better as individuals and as a team, to come back next year stronger and ready to compete hard as they always do. The seniors leading next year's Trojan squad will be Crowe and forward Jake Heggeland.
"Photograph by Brad Timmerman"
