Hubbard's Career Night Ends in Difficult Defeat

LIMA, Ohio – Jason Hubbard had one of the greatest games in Taylor basketball history on Friday. The senior moved into fourth place on TU's all-time scoring list by posting a career-best 55 points as the Trojans fell, 83-80, in a tight contest on the road against Northwestern Ohio (4-8).

The Miamisburg native did all he could to help Taylor to victory on Friday night, pouring in 55 points on 20-26 from the field and a perfect 13-13 from the line. Hubbard scored 40 of TU's 50 points after the break, including a stretch of 23 consecutive points for Taylor without missing a shot.

The 55 points and 20 made fields goals are both single-game bests by a single player under coach Josh Andrews.

The outstanding effort moved Hubbard past Eric Ford, who played from 2002-06 and scored 2,023 points, and just three points behind Forrest Jackson, who played from 1950-54 and scored 2,059 points, with 2,056 career points.

While the points were impressive, the senior led the team with 11 rebounds, two blocks, and three assists, showcasing his all-around game.

The Trojans started the game brightly, getting two early threes from Grant Niehaus and six points from Hubbard to take a 17-12 lead at the 11:47 mark of the half.

The offense hit a snag shortly after, and UNOH got hot from beyond the arc to take a 30-21 lead late in the first period.

TU could not get any closer before the break, with fifteen points from Hubbard keeping it within reach at 39-30.

Taylor came out aggressively on both sides of the ball, scoring the first 12 points to take a three-point lead less than four minutes into the second half.

A back-and-forth contest continued until the game was even at 64, after which UNOH went on an 8-0 that put them in firm control.

The Trojans fought back to make it a two-point game with just over a minute left but could not cash in thereafter, falling by three on the road.

While TU outshot the Racers 50.8 percent to 48.3 percent, UNOH splashed in 15 of 30 threes compared to just five for the Trojans to make up the difference.

Taylor (6-6, 2-3 CL) continues non-league action over winter break, heading to Arizona for two games starting with a matchup against SAGU American Indian College (3-5) on Tuesday, December 20, in Phoenix, Arizona, with a late tip-off scheduled for 9:00 pm.