The Trinity Bible College Lions men’s team has been itching to get back to competition since the end of last season. Last year, the Lions won the NCCAA North Central Region Championship for the first time since 2006 and advanced to the NCCAA DII National Tournament. They also did what no other Lions team has done; that is win a game at Nationals. They upset first round opponent Grace University and finished the season ranked 8^th in the nation. The good news for the Lions is out of the 11 members of that team, 9 of them have returned including all 5 starters. The Lions traveled to Plymouth, MN to face off against the Association Free Lutheran Bible School Conquerors for their first games of the season.

            The Lions opened the game by making two quick three pointers. The Lions then went on a 13-5 run in the first four minutes. Their lead would get to be as big as 26 to 13 with 10 minutes left in the first half but the Conquerors kept fighting, getting as close as 9 points with 3 minutes left in the half. However the Lions would finish the first half strong taking a 50 to 38 lead into halftime as sophomore Nick Lentz (Onida, SD) would make a tip in as time expired.

            The second half was all Lions as they came out aggressive going on a 16 to 6 run in the first 4 minutes. The Lions defense tightened and the Lions offense was clicking as their lead steadily climbed in the half. With 8 minutes left in the game the Lions held an 89 to 59 lead; their largest of the game. With 2:30 left the Lions eclipsed the 100 points taking a 100 to 66 lead over the Conquerors. The Lions went on to win 103 to 72 for their first win on the season. In the win all 8 of the Lions played and scored. Leading the team was senior Mikey Rosario (Fort Worth, TX) and sophomore Nick Lentz with 24 points each, senior David Rohrbach (Aberdeen, SD) added 13 points, senior Cameron Martell (Poplar, MT) added 12 points and junior AJ Anthony (Memphis, TN) pitched in 11 points. The Lions outscored the Conquerors 53 to 34 in the second half.

            The Trinity Bible College Lions and AFLBS Conquerors squared off again Saturday afternoon. This first half was a lot closer than Friday night’s game. The Lions and Conquerors battled for the first ten minutes until the Lions took a 24 to 13 lead, but AFBLS kept the fight up and went on a 14 to 6 run to close the Lions lead to just 3 points, 30 to 27 with 6 minutes left in the half. That’s as close as the Conquerors would get however as the Lions finished the half on a 18 to 13 run taking a 7 point lead into the break.

            The second half was a close repeat of Friday night’s second half as the Lions defense would tighten its grip. The game would remain relatively close until the Lions took a 13 point lead 70 to 57 with 10 minutes to go. The Lions then would hold the Conqueror’s to only 2 points over a 4 minutes span and 8 points in the last ten minutes of the game. The Lions went on to win 90 to 65.

            The two wins move the Lions to 2-0 on the young season. The Lions next game is Friday, November 9^th at Turtle Mountain Community College at 8pm.

Stay connected with Trinity Bible College Basketball all season long at http://trinitybiblecollege.edu/athletics, on facebook http://www.facebook.com/tbcathletics, and on twitter @tbcathletics.