The Trinity Bible College Lions basketball team was looking to do what hasn’t been done in over eight years, beat Presentation College twice in one season. The Lions beat the Saints this season once already in December 73 to 64 at Presentation College. They were looking to do it again this time in front of a packed Ray Ulmer Fieldhouse crowd. Both schools packed the RUF for the game and the Lions fans in the beach themed apparel were ready to defend home court.

            It was all Lions from the tip as they jumped out to an early 7 to 0 lead behind back to back and ones for Mikey Rosario to start the game. The Saints would pull back into the game five minutes into the contest as the Lions held the lead 11 to 8; however the Lions then went on an 8 to 0 run to get a ten point lead with 13 minutes left in the first half. The battle continued as the Saints got within six points but again the Lions were relentless and pushed their lead back to ten points and that’s the lead the Lions would take into halftime 50 to 40. The Lions were being paced at halftime by senior Mikey Rosario’s 18 points on 7 for 10 shooting. The Lions as a team went 19 for 31 (61 percent) from the field in the first half.

            As the second half go underway the Saints came out strong using a 10 to 6 run to get within six points of the Lions with 15 minutes to play in the game. The Saints then used an 8 to 2 run to draw the game even at 58 all with 12 minutes to play. Both teams would play even over the next six minutes trading leads and with six minutes left in the game. The Saints would take control of the game with 2 minutes left after a basket that put them up four points 75 to 71. The Saints would finish off the game with a 9 to 6 run holding on for the 84 to 77 win.

            The Lions were led in the loss by senior Mikey Rosario’s 29 points on 11 for 22 shooting. Rosario’s 29 points mover him in to third place on the Lions All Time scoring list. Joining Rosario in double figures was Nick Lentz who added 12 points and 8 rebounds and AJ Anthony and David Rohrbach who both pitched in 11 points.

            The Lions then traveled on Saturday to Dakota State University to take on the Trojans in a rematch from earlier in the season in which Dakota State came out on top 80 to 59. This match up followed a similar storyline. The Lions would remain close until five minutes to play in the first half when the Trojans used a 17 to 8 run to close the half and take a 20 point lead into the break 50 to 30. The Lions would not give up in the second half and got the Trojans lead single digits only to see Dakota State push it back to double figures. The Lions went on to lose 69 to 90.

            In the loss were again led by Mikey Rosario who had 16 points despite being in foul trouble. Joining Rosario in double figures was senior David Rohrbach who got his first career double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds off the bench for the Lions. Nick Lentz pitched in 13 points and 8 rebounds and 3 blocks before fouling out and senior Cameron Martell got 9 points and 11 rebounds for the Lions.

            The two losses move the Lions to 7 and 14 on the season with two games this weekend against NIAC conference opponent Oak Hills Christian College. The Trinity Bible College Athletic Department will be hosting Senior Night for Friday night’s game and Parent’s Night for Saturday’s game. The TBC Athletic Department will be recognizing the Lions four seniors, Mikey Rosario, Cameron Martell, Michael Rohrbach and David Rohrbach before their game on Friday Night. They will also be honoring the Lions Basketball parents before Saturday’s game. Friday night’s game is at 8pm and Saturday’s game is set for 2pm.

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