Sophomore guard Daniel Williams scored a career-high 25 points to lead the Thomas More College men’s basketball team to a 74-73 win over instate rival Transylvania University Wednesday at the Connor Convocation Center.
The Saints improved to 5-5, while the Pioneers fell to 2-8.
Thomas More jumped out to an early 11-6 lead with 16:28 to play in the first half when sophomore guard Corey Howard made a 3-pointer. Transylvania answered with a 7-0 run to take a 13-11 lead on a Copper Theobald jumper with 14:43 to play in the half.
The Saints used a 17-4 run to build a 28-17 lead with 6:15 to play in the opening half when sophomore forward Austin Young made a 3-pointer. The Pioneers closed out the half on a 16-10 run to cut the lead to 38-33 at halftime when Parker Stansberry made a 3-pointer at the buzzer.
Transylvania opened the second half on a 10-6 run to cut the lead to 44-43 with 16:32 to play in the half when Alex Jones converted an old fashion three-point play. The Saints responded with a 7-0 run to increase the lead to 51-43 when Howard hit a 3-pointer with 14:15 to play.
The Pioneers used a 26-11 run to take a 69-62 lead when Stansberry made a 3-pointer with 3:34 to play. The Saints closed out the game on a 12-4 run, with Williams scoring the last 10 points, including the game-winner with nine seconds remaining.
Williams was joined double figures by junior Simon Clifford with 15 points and Howard with 12. Clifford and Ryne Callahan led the team in rebounding with four boards each, while Young led the team in assists with four and Williams led the team in steals with three.
Thomas More returns to action Saturday at Thiel College. Tipoff is set for 3 p.m.
(From Thomas More Athletics)