SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Lawrence Technological University men's basketball team beat the host of the Troll Classic, Trinity Christian College (Ill.), 84-76 on November 9 in Palos Hieghts, Ill with Ty Searles (SR/Pontiac, Mich.) leading the game with an impressive 37 points.

While in the first half the Troll scored 11 field goals and LTU only scored nine, both teams were even throughout. Both team scored three three pointers, made seven shots from the foul line and had 20 defensive rebounds. The trolls narrowly surpassed them in offensive rebounds, receiving six to the Blue Devils five. Carter Frantz (FR/Dansville, Mich.) started the half with an easy layup, and then quickly got fouled on a three point attempt, making all three of his chances on the line. Jalen Bethel (FR/Columbus, Ohio) quickly added to the mix with two back to back layups. Lawrence Tech dominated the first part of the first half by keeping Trinity scoreless until the 9th minute into the game when the Trolls finally scored to get on the board. They quickly came back with answers to LTU's dominance by climbing back from being 15-0 to ending the half up, 32-28 with six steals to make the comeback.

In the second half, Trinity could not stop fouling the Blue Devils by giving them 34 attempts at the line. The Blue Devils capitalized on this and made 25 of those free throws. Alek Ivanovic (SO/Macomb, Mich.) started off the second half with a three pointer in response to a Troll layup.  It wasn't until six minutes into the half that LTU found their stride again, with Devonte Myles (SR/Tampa, Fla.) scoring a layup and then a dunk for his team. Ty Searles continued on this with an easy three point shot before Myles added another layup to the mix. With six minutes left in the game, the Blue Devils had come back to tie with the trolls at 56-56. Searles had been fouled during a shot and made one of his two chances on the line. Myles made another layup to add to the mix and then Searles again added to the run with making another three point shot making it 62-56. Trinity started to get desperate for the ball, fouling Myles and Searles multiple times, but they sunk their shots and won the game 84-76.

Searles ended the game with 37 points, went 15-19 from the foul line, had three defensive rebounds, made eight field goals and six three point shots. Devonte Myles had 16 points at the end of the game with two offensive rebounds and eight defensive rebounds. He made six out of his nine foul shot attempts and scored five field goals. Carter Frantz has 10 points and made all eight of his chances on the foul line as well as collecting three defensive rebounds and one offensive.

LTU plays again today, November 10,  at 1 p.m. against Saint Xavier University (Ill.)  who are 1-3 so far this season.The Blue Devils move to 2-2 this season.

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