TU Erupts for 105 Points in Rout of Lakers
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UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor had little trouble dispatching Wright State-Lake on Thursday night inside Odle Arena, reaching the 50-point barrier in each half and cruising to a 105-58 blowout victory.
The 105 points were TU’s most since also putting 105 on the board in a win over Moody Bible exactly one year ago to the date, while the 47-point spread was the most lopsided win for Taylor since defeating Great Lakes Christian by 59 in the 2016-2017 season opener.
Taylor used a deep and balanced attack to put away the Lakers (3-6), placing five players in double figures and seeing 11 players score at least five points in the rout.
The Trojans set season-highs with a 54.1-percent clip from the field, 20 assists, 10 steals and seven blocks and also dialed it up at a 44.0-percent rate from three-point territory.
TU’s dominance carried over onto the defensive end as well, holding WSL 34 points below its season average on 29.9-percent shooting from the floor and a 20.0-percent rate from deep. Both of those percentages, as well as the 58-point output, marked season-bests for the Trojan defense.
Ryan Robinson led Taylor in scoring with 17 points, with James McCloud posting a season-high of 15 points. Jake Heggeland followed with 13 points, seven rebounds, a career-high four assists and his first collegiate three-pointer, while Mason Degenkolb finished at 12 points to go with six helpers and Evan Crowe added 10 points and seven boards.
Jason Hubbard and CJ Penha also excelled, as Hubbard ended with eight points, four blocks and two steals, while Penha finished with nine points, eight boards and two helpers.
Taylor outscored the Lakers by a 22-2 gap in transition and posted a 58-24 advantage in the paint.
TU (2-5) will look to carry the momentum over into its Crossroads League opener on Tuesday, November 20, when it hosts No. 23 Bethel in a 7:00 pm start on Paul Patterson Court.
