Trojans roll past Wright State Lake 142-50 in homecoming exhibition

By Skylar Kirby

News and Engagement and Editor

The packed Trojan Fieldhouse watched Trevecca beat Wright State Lake 142-50 in an exhibition on Saturday night, the final act of homecoming week that also included the women’s game and the crowning of the homecoming court.

The exhibition gave second-year head coach Nathan Moran an early look at the team before the regular season begins this weekend in Florida.

“I thought we executed really well. There’s some definite areas we need to improve. We need to be better from the free throw line. We shoot 50%,” said Moran.

Trevecca is coming off an 18-11 season and its third straight winning year under the current staff. Gulf South Conference coaches picked the Trojans to finish third in the preseason poll, behind West Alabama and Alabama-Huntsville.

The Trojans scored first with a layup by junior transfer D’Shay Knights Wright and built the lead from there. With minutes left in the first half, they were up by 27, helped by two turnovers that turned into five straight points from junior transfer Jett Montgomery. A layup by sophomore Fred Bailey closed the half with Trevecca ahead 75-25.

Montgomery opened the second half with a layup for his 14th point. An assist from senior Tyler Moore set up a dunk by sophomore Jeremy Jackson Jr., and a 3-pointer by Bailey pushed the Trojans past 100 points. Freshman Eli Williams made his college debut and scored 13 points in the second half, and sophomore Ben Groth finished the night with a dunk with 25 seconds left in the game.

Justin Bass, a junior, was a predominant player for the Trojans with 21 points. Bailey also had a strong night, and he said the team’s goal was simple.

“We came to have fun, come together, and it was a blessing just to play someone else in the preseason,” said Bailey.

He said depth is a strength of this year’s team.

“This year it’s just like, when our starters come out, we got five new starters basically. There’s no drop off, and we all got the same high expectations,” said Bailey. “We all can play, we all can go. We just gotta stay together, play together and we’ll be good all year.”

Ten players logged 14 to 15 minutes, which Moran said will be a common sight this season.

“We’ve always had a deep bench. I believe you win by strength and numbers, you know, the old warrior saying, right? I do believe we are a deep team and we can utilize that,” said Moran.

Trevecca opens the regular season Friday in Daytona Florida against Palm Beach Atlantic and Embry-Riddle University.

“If we have a great week of practice, I feel like we can go 2-0 at the end of this weekend,” said Bailey.