SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Lawrence Technological University (Mich.) men's basketball team went 1-1 in the Troll Classic hosted by Trinity Christian College (Ill.), winning their first game against the host, and losing the other game against Saint Xavier University (Ill.) 89-73.

The Cougars made 50% of their field goals to the Blue Devils only make 48% throughout the game. The Cougars also shot 88% from the foul line to LTU's 63%, pushing Saint Xavier past them in a rather close game. The first half was close with both teams taking the lead back and forth in the first two minutes. However, only three minutes later, Ty Searles(SR/Pontiac, Mich.) made a jumper, two three pointers back to back with Jalen Bethel(FR/Columbus, Ohio) also sinking his free throws, extending the lead 17-8. After this, the Cougar started to capitalize on LTU's steak of multiple misses from all around the court, tying it up 21-21. They took the lead until Devonte Myles (SR/Tampa, Fla.) made a layup, Alek Ivanovic (SO/Macomb, Mich.) made a clutch three and Ty Searles made a layup and one free throw. The Cougars responded with a few quick layups to end the half up 45-39. While LTU made seven three point shots to Saint Xavier's five, the cougars made 18 field goals to Lawrence Tech's 13.

The second half started much of the same, with Bethel and Searles narrowing the gap that started in the 1st with two jumpers, getting their team to only four away from tying it up. However, this is the closest the score would be the rest of the game, with Saint Xaiver extending their lead to at least five, ending the game up by 16. LTU made 12 of their 23 field goal attempts, only two of their seven three points shots and eight of their 13 free throws. Saint Xaiver out rebounded the team 17-15 in the second half, made 15 of their 32 field goals and 11 of their 12 shots from the free throw line. They also had five steals that aided them in taking the lead.

Ty Searles again went the distance for LTU, with a team high 27 points for the night. He scored 9-for-17 in the field and 4-for-9 in three point shots. HE also made five of his six free throws.

Jalen Bethel was also up there in points with 18. He went 7-for-9 from the field and nine rebounds, six on the defensive end and three offensively.

Carter Frantz (FR/Dansville, Mich.) also hit the double digits with 10 points at the end of the game. He hit four of his six three point attempts and went 4-for-9 in the field. Devonte Myles was the other Blue Devil to hit double digits with 10. He went 3-for-5 in the field, made all four of his free throws and had five defensive rebound and one offensive rebound., he also had one block. Only two other Blue Devils got up on the board, including Daylon Blakely (JR/Mt. Shasta, Calif.) and Alek Ivanovic, who each had three. The Blue Devils move to 2-3 this 2018-19 season

Next up for the Blue Devils is the first WHAC game of the season at Madonna University (Mich.) on November 14 at 7:30 p.m.