Trojans Fade in Road Loss to Huntington

HUNTINGTON, Ind. – A hot start fizzled for the Trojans in a tough 69-58 road loss against Huntington (19-8, 12-5 CL) in Crossroads League action on Wednesday night. 

Caleb Hodgson had his highest-scoring game since November, with an efficient 20 points on six shots from the field. The transfer played only 18 minutes and made every one count, with the team-high 20 points and pulling down six rebounds while draining each of his nine attempts from the foul line. 

Julian Mitchell got his first start in his college career and made it count, scoring in double figures for the first time with 10 points on six shots. The freshman splashed home a pair of triples, showcasing his terrific stroke from beyond the arc. 

Taylor (10-17, 5-12 CL) raced out to an early 11-2 lead on the back of phenomenal defense, holding the Foresters to one made field goal in the first seven minutes of action. 

The Trojans kept the lead for most of the first half and did not trail until Huntington hit a shot from beyond the arc with under a minute to play before halftime. TU went into the half trailing 31-28 but felt good about the rhythm of the game, with eyes on an upset. 

Huntington quickly expanded its lead early in the second half with five quick points for a 36-28 advantage. Taylor struck right back with a 9-0 run capped by a triple from Mitchell, which gave the Trojans their only lead of the second half at 37-36. 

The Foresters took the lead back on the next possession and kept the lead the rest of the way. 

Hodgson finished a three-point play to get TU within a possession but could not capitalize on the momentum, with Huntington stretching the lead back to seven, with the Trojans unable to get within a possession again.

The Trojans were terrific from the charity stripe, making 13 of 14 shots from the foul line, and battled down low to the tune of 33 rebounds, which matched the Foresters. 

Taylor returns home to cap the regular season with a Senior Day battle against No. 22 Bethel (18-9, 9-8 CL) on Saturday, February 24, with tip-off set for 3:00 pm and Senior Day festivities set to take place following the conclusion of the women's game.