Late Execution Keys Gutsy Home Victory Over Holy Cross

UPLAND, Ind. – The Trojans executed late on both ends of the court to break a deadlock at 75 and grab a home victory over Holy Cross (4-2) at home on Friday night.  

Izaiah Day splashed home hist fourth triple of the evening from the corner off a dish from Pete Combs to give TU a 78-75 advantage. Combs turned around and made a difficult shot off the board to push the lead to five, which was just enough to squeak out an 82-78 win.

Combs led the team with 24 points and added 10 rebounds for his third double-double of the young season. The forward hit all three attempts from beyond the arc, two more than his previous career high. Day was tied for second on the team with 16 points and grabbed four rebounds.

The junior duo started the game brightly as well, combing for 13 of Taylor's first 15 points, all scored within the first four minutes of action. The offense did not miss a shot during that stretch, but the Saints offense was hot as well to keep it close at 15-11.

Taylor stayed hot, pushing the lead to 13 after a steal and layup by Chaz Harvey, who impressed in his first start of the season. The senior point guard scored 16 points on an efficient 7-10 from the field, including a pair of triples and added a game-high eight assists.

The Saints chipped into the lead, trimming the lead to three over as TU scored one point during a three-minute stretch.

The Trojans clung to a small lead throughout much of the first half until another three-minute scoreless streak allowed Holy Cross to knot it up at 42 going into the locker room.

Harvey and Day hit back-to-back threes early in the second half to force a timeout and gain a 54-46 edge. The lead continued for most of a more physical second half until the final seven minutes, when Holy Cross mounted a comeback and took its second lead of the night on the heels of a 6-0 run at 70-69.

Anthony McGhee restored the lead with his second bucket form beyond the arc off a pass from Harvey, who converted a layup to set up the frantic finish. McGhee finished the night with 12 points, three steals, and three assists.

Taylor was terrific from downtown, hitting 12 of 28 triples and had a monumental eight blocks led by a trio off the bench from Levin Smith.

Taylor (4-2) begins Crossroads League action against No. 4 Grace (5-0) on Wednesday, November 19 on the road, with tip set for 7:30 pm.