Trinity Christian takes 61-55 road win
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Staff writer FAYETTTEVILLE OBSERVER
Trinity Christian opened Tuesday’s game at Village Christian on a seven-point run and hovered ahead by a halfdozen points or so for much of the first half.
But in a hotly contested conference matchup at the home of a crosstown rival, Crusaders’ coach Heath Vandevender knew it wouldn’t be enough.
“Playing in Village’s home gym, and it’s early in the season, we’re still figuring out who we are,” Vandevender said. “But I thought down the stretch, we had to get stops and have good possessions.”
The Crusaders checked both boxes, fended off a battling Knights’ squad and drilled 13 of 14 free throw attempts in the final quarter for a 61-55 win.
Trinity, the reigning NCISAA 1-A state champion, improves to 4-0 with the win, its first in Sandhills Conference play.
The Knights slip to 2-3 and 0-1 in the league.
Trinity took the lead early Tuesday with a strong defensive performance around the basket, keeping Village from capitalizing on transition opportunities.
The Crusaders hit their shooting stride in the second quarter, knocking down four 3-point goals, including two from guard K.J. Marshall, to take a 25-18 at the half.
Village roared to life in the third quarter, sparked by
back-to-back-to-back 3s from guard Travion McCray. The third pulled the Knights level at 27-27 with 6:20 left in the frame and set off a run of trading baskets that stretched into the fourth quarter.
McCray finished with a game-high 20 points.
Trinity’s top point-getter was senior Talton Jones, who remains active for the Crusaders despite being charged with felony involuntary manslaughter on Oct. 11.
Jones finished the night with 17 points, including a 7-for-8 performance from the foul line in the fourth quarter to help Trinity keep a two-possession lead down the stretch.
Illinois State signee D.J. Horne added 13 points for the Crusaders. He was 6-for-6 at the line, all in the second half. On the opposite end, the Knights made five of eight free throws in the fourth quarter but missed some costly chances while trying to chase down Trinity.
“Free throws were the difference,” Knights’ coach Kurtis Darden said.
“They made them when they counted. We had a chance to take the lead, and we missed some free throws. We had some opportunities. We just couldn’t put it in the cup.”
Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at jshambaugh@fayobserver. com or 910-609-0651.
By Jaclyn Shambaugh
Staff writer FAYETTTEVILLE OBSERVER
Trinity Christian opened Tuesday’s game at Village Christian on a seven-point run and hovered ahead by a halfdozen points or so for much of the first half.
But in a hotly contested conference matchup at the home of a crosstown rival, Crusaders’ coach Heath Vandevender knew it wouldn’t be enough.
“Playing in Village’s home gym, and it’s early in the season, we’re still figuring out who we are,” Vandevender said. “But I thought down the stretch, we had to get stops and have good possessions.”
The Crusaders checked both boxes, fended off a battling Knights’ squad and drilled 13 of 14 free throw attempts in the final quarter for a 61-55 win.
Trinity, the reigning NCISAA 1-A state champion, improves to 4-0 with the win, its first in Sandhills Conference play.
The Knights slip to 2-3 and 0-1 in the league.
Trinity took the lead early Tuesday with a strong defensive performance around the basket, keeping Village from capitalizing on transition opportunities.
The Crusaders hit their shooting stride in the second quarter, knocking down four 3-point goals, including two from guard K.J. Marshall, to take a 25-18 at the half.
Village roared to life in the third quarter, sparked by
back-to-back-to-back 3s from guard Travion McCray. The third pulled the Knights level at 27-27 with 6:20 left in the frame and set off a run of trading baskets that stretched into the fourth quarter.
McCray finished with a game-high 20 points.
Trinity’s top point-getter was senior Talton Jones, who remains active for the Crusaders despite being charged with felony involuntary manslaughter on Oct. 11.
Jones finished the night with 17 points, including a 7-for-8 performance from the foul line in the fourth quarter to help Trinity keep a two-possession lead down the stretch.
Illinois State signee D.J. Horne added 13 points for the Crusaders. He was 6-for-6 at the line, all in the second half. On the opposite end, the Knights made five of eight free throws in the fourth quarter but missed some costly chances while trying to chase down Trinity.
“Free throws were the difference,” Knights’ coach Kurtis Darden said.
“They made them when they counted. We had a chance to take the lead, and we missed some free throws. We had some opportunities. We just couldn’t put it in the cup.”
Staff writer Jaclyn Shambaugh can be reached at jshambaugh@fayobserver. com or 910-609-0651.
