Wabash overcame a slow start in both halves to stay close with 22nd-ranked Trinity University before losing 72-66 to the host Tigers on the opening day of the Trinity/Southwestern Holiday Classic in San Antonio, Texas.
Ninteen Wabash turnovers, second chance opportunities and a strong effort from the Tigers' bench proved be the difference in the game. The Little Giants gave up 35 points to the Trinity reserves, including 14 by Nick Polidoroff and 13 from Luke Caldarera.
The Little Giants were hot early from the three-point arc. Earl Rooks scored the opening basket from behind the arc for Wabash to answer the first score by Trinity's BJ Moon for a 3-3 contest. Treys by Rooks, Andrew Zimmer, and Chase Haltom helped Wabash eventually take a 13-9 lead with 12 minutes left in the first half. The Tigers responded with a score from Caldarera and another from reserve Barrett Koch to even the score at 13-13. Trinity continued scoring, going on a 12-0 run that put the Tigers up before eventually holding a four-point lead at the break.
Wabash had no response at the start of the second half, watching as the Tigers pushed their lead to 11 points with 12:24 left in the game. The Little Giants mounted a rally when a basket and free throw by Haltom made it a 55-50 contest with 8:50 left.
Gary Simkus added a turn-around jumper and a layup, trimming the lead to one point at the 6:52 mark. Wabash could not get over the hump, however. Trinity responded with a basket from Caldarera to move up again.
With the score bouncing back and forth between a four- and six-point advantage, Wabash would get as close as three points with 20 seconds left when Haltom nailed a 30-foot jumper. The Tigers, shooting just 57 percent from the free throw line as a team coming into the game, hit 12-of-14 for the game including seven out of eight in the final minute to secure the win.
Simkus equalled his season-high with 16 points. Zimmer led the Little Giants with 19, while Haltom added 12 points. Patrick Robinson had 14 to go with Polidoroff's 14 to lead the Tigers (8-1).
Wabash (5-4) will try to end its year-end trip with a win Sunday afternoon against Southwestern University. The Pirates lost 62-44 to Ohio Northern in Saturday's opening game.
Photos - (top right) Andrew Zimmer scores two of his game-high 19 points.
(Bottom left) Gary Simkus tied his season-best scoring mark with 16 points.