Robinson Pushes TU to Second-Straight Win Over Ranked Foe
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UPLAND, Ind. – Ryan Robinson poured in at least 20 points for the sixth time in 10 games and Taylor rode a strong first-half to a 73-67 win over No. 23 Spring Arbor for its second win over a nationally-ranked squad this week.
Both sides opened slow and combined to hit just four-of-14 shots to start, as the Cougars (10-2, 2-1 CL) took a 5-4 lead to the first media timeout. Taylor claimed control after the stoppage, rattling off the game’s next 11 points to grab a 15-5 lead that it would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest.
Robinson caught fire from there, scoring 12 of the next 16 for the Trojans to open a 12-point gap and Emmanuel Boateng’s second trey of the game pushed the margin to a game-high, 34-19, on the way to a 40-30 halftime lead for TU.
Taylor connected on 15-of-25 shots to close the period and sank six-of-11 looks from three-point territory in the opening 20 minutes, while holding Spring Arbor to 38.7 percent from the floor.
Taylor maintained its margin through the first 15-plus minutes of the final half, as the lead bounced between 13 and seven until the Cougars finally got within five with 4:31 to play.
A bucket from CJ Penha was followed by two free throws from Jake Heggeland to push the gap back to nine with 2:40 showing on the clock and the Trojans kept SAU at bay for the duration to claim the six-point win and snap a nine-game win streak for the guests.
TU held sizeable shooting advantages on the afternoon, shooting 48.1 percent from the floor and nine-of-18 from deep, while Spring Arbor struggled to a 37.9-percent clip and hit only four-of-24 attempts from the perimeter.
Taylor also outscored SAU by a 22-9 margin off the bench, as Miranda, Penha and Boateng combined for 22 points and five-of-five shooting from long distance and added nine rebounds, four assists and two blocks.
Robinson highlighted the win however, ending with 21 points on four-of-nine shooting from beyond the arc to go with five rebounds, four helpers and one steal in 35:06 of work.
Mason Degenkolb closed with 16 points and Heggeland chipped in nine points and five rebounds.
Taylor (4-6, 2-1 CL) will continue Crossroads League play on Tuesday, with a game at RV Huntington (7-3, 0-2 CL) at 7:00 pm. TU will then host Grace Christian (10-4) on Friday, December 7 at 6:00 pm in the 22nd-Annual Ivanhoes Silent Night Game.
