SEYMOUR
Trinity Lutheran held a 42-36 lead entering the fourth quarter and stayed ahead the rest of the way for a 55-53 win over Switzerland County Friday night in the Bollinger Athletic Complex.
Mitchell Hackman made two free throws and Tyler Goecker made one in the final 37 seconds to seal the win for Trinity.
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The Cougars (2-5) made 8 of 11 free throws in the fourth quarter and 13 of 17 for the game. The Pacers made 5 of 9 free throws for the game.
“We put up more shots down the stretch than they did. It went back and forth,” Trinity Lutheran coach Michael McBride said. “We didn’t stop them from second chance opportunities. If we wouldn’t have given them so many opportunities, it could have been a little wider margin.”
Jack Marksberry scored Trinity’s first 10 points of the game to give the Cougars a 10-4 lead. Marksberry had two 3-pointers during that stretch.
Noah Voelker made a 3-pointer late in the quarter to give the Cougars a 13-9 lead ending the first period.
Tyler Goecker’s three free throws put the Cougars up 16-9 early in the second period.
Coby Chase finally scored for the Pacers at the 3:50 mark and that started his team on a 9-0 run. Zach Weaver’s basket gave the Pacers their first lead of the game at 18-16.
Goecker’s steal and layup gave Trinity a 21-19 lead at the half.
The Pacers held a 30-27 lead midway through the third period when Hackman made back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Cougars on top at 33-30.
Josh Rowe and Hudson Norton made 3-point baskets and Marksberry converted a 3-point play late in the quarter to help the Cougars take a 42-36 lead into the fourth quarter.
Hackman topped the Cougars with 18 points, Marksberry added 17 and Goecker had 11. Norton, Rowe, and Voelker each made a 3-pointer to round out the Trinity scoring.
“It’s a very unselfish team,” McBride said. “It’s not just about one guy padding their stats; it’s about winning the game. We played good team basketball offensively.”
Damian Breeck topped the Pacers (3-3) with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Trinity held a 28-18 advantage in rebounds. Goecker topped the Cougars with eight.
Jacob Sabotin scored 15, Logan Brown scored 12, Evan Hunt had 11, and Caleb Williams had 10 to help Trinity win the junior varsity game 53-38. Chase Sawyer added three and Kade Hill had two.
The Cougars will host Jac-Cen-Del tonight.