By By SCOTT NOVAK / Niles Daily Star
NILES - A big third quarter lifted visiting South Bend, Ind. Trinity to a 64-55 non-conference victory over host Brandywine Tuesday night.
Trinity (17-6) outscored the Bobcats 18-12 in the third quarter to open up a 44-35 advantage.
Both teams scored 20 points in the final eight minutes as the Bobcats were unable to overtake Trinity.
The game was close throughout the entire first half with Trinity grabbing a 14-12 lead after one quarter and a 26-23 advantage at the intermission.
Hot shooting by Trinity all night long made it tough for Brandywine to mount any type of comeback.
Trinity finished the night shooting 59 percent from the field. The Titans were also 10-of-19 from the foul line.
Brandywine on the other hand shot just 38 percent from the floor and was 9-of-15 from the charity stripe.
Mike Scott did most of the damage for the Titans as he scored a game-high 23 points, including five, three-pointers.
Trinity's other sharp shooter, John Niswonger finished with 13 points.
Brandywine (1-16) was led by Alex Newman's 17 points. Matt Beaver added 14 points, while D.J. Elrod finished with 13 points and five rebounds.
The Bobcats retun to action on Friday night when they travel to Edwardsburg for a Lakeland Conference contest. Tip-off is set for approximately 7:30 p.m.
TRINITY 64
Jim Barrett 4 1-5 9, David Blechl 0 2-2 2, John Niswonger 5 2-2 13, Mike Scott 8 2-4 23, Chris Rucker 4 3-6 11, Robert Winding 0 0-0 0, Luke Lattimer 3 0-0 6. Totals 24 10-19 64
BRANDYWINE 55
Matt Beaver 7 0-2 14, Zach Bennett 2 0-0 4, Billy Bussey 1 2-2 4, D.J. Elrod 4 2-5 13, Billy McDonald 0 0-0 0, Matt Wieger 0 0-0 0, Alex Newman 5 5-6 17, Adam Prescott 1 0-0 3, Lyle Low 0 0-0 0, Cody Smith 0 0-0 0. Totals 20 9-15 55
Trinity 14 26 44 64
Brandywine 12 23 35 55
Three-point baskets: Scott (T) 5, Niswonger (T) 1, Elrod (BW) 3, Newman (BW) 2. Total fouls: Brandywine 17, Trinity 17. Fouled out: Newman (BW). Varsity records: Trinity 17-6, Brandywine 1-16. J.V. game: Trinity 64 (John Preuss 18, Jason Slowiak 18), Brandywine 53 (Eric Rush 20).