UPLAND, Ind. – After fighting back into the game throughout the second half, Taylor (1-2) grabbed a brief lead before falling, 60-57, against RV West Virginia Tech (1-1) on Friday evening.
The Trojans started slowly in the first half before Anton Webb provided a much-needed spark off the bench. TU trailed 15-7 before the junior transfer, Webb, checked in and quickly scored five points and grabbed a couple of boards to help tie the game at 15.
Webb continued to shine for Taylor, registering his first-career double-double with 11 points and 14 rebounds while swatting away four shots.
Jason Hubbard continued his strong start to the season, notching 21 points and seven boards while dishing out a season-high four assists. Grant Niehaus was another key contributor off the bench, grabbing seven rebounds and scoring nine points while also playing great defense.
A tight first half continued thereafter, with neither team leading by more than three and the squads going to the break tied at 32.
The Golden Bears' offense came alive to begin the second period, tallying 14 points in the first six-plus inutes to grab a 46-36 lead.
The Trojans showed their grit, grinding out an 8-0 run to get within two as four separate players made baskets for TU during the run.
A beautiful alley-oop layup from Gavin Yoon to Niehaus capped another eight-point run that gave the Trojans a 57-54 lead with two minutes remaining in the game.
WVU Tech scored the final six points, including a jumper with 27 seconds left that gave them a lead they would not relinquish.
Taylor struggled shooting all night finishing 23-68 from the field and 4-24 from three. The free-throw line was no kinder to the Trojans, shooting 7-15.
Taylor continues non-league action on the court against Wilberforce (0-1) on Wednesday, November 9, on the road, with tip-off scheduled for 7:00 pm.
