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01.28.06
- Not only was this a clash between two NAIA Top 10 powerhouses, it also was
a battle for the top spot in the conference standings.
After dropping the first meeting to the 7th-ranked Taylor University
Trojans back in December, the
#2-ranked Foresters used their home court advantage to claim the 71-60
victory and a share of first place in the MCC.
Taylor took an early four-point lead on a
layup by Eric Ford, but the lead was short-lived. A trey from
Kyle Benge and jumper by Steve Snider put HU in front 11-10 seven
minutes into the half. The Forester defense then put the clamps
on the Trojans and held them scoreless for a seven minute stretch
while allowing its offense to build a nine-point advantage. The
two teams then traded baskets until HU put together another 8-0 run to
take its largest lead of the half at 35-18 with just under three
minutes to play. A Doug Bell layup with 11 seconds left cut HU's lead
to 35-22 at the break.
Taylor emerged from the locker room and
immediately went to work chipping away at the deficit. Two free
throws from Ford brought the Trojans within two at 46-44 with 10:36 to
go, but a jumper and two free throws by Doug Sheckler sandwiched
around two Alex Kock field goals put HU back up 54-46 two minutes
later. Bell scored a layup on Taylor's next possession, but
again the Foresters responded with seven unanswered points to push
their lead back to double digits at 61-48 with a little over five
minute to play. Down the stretch, the Trojans got back within 10
twice, but they could get no closer.
The Foresters were lead by Kock's
double-double of 22 points and 18 rebounds. Sheckler finished
with 20 points on 8-10 shooting and 4-4 from the line and Kyle Ganton
added 12 points. Taylor' Ford took game-high honors with 26
points. Bell added 20 points and Beucler finished with 12.
With the win, the Foresters improve to 21-4 on the season and earn a
share of first place with a 9-2 record in the MCC.
Box Score
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