IU-East Races Past Tigers In Season Opener

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Alex Brandt

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio — The Indiana University-East Red Wolves put a damper on the Wittenberg Tigers in their 2011 season opener for a second straight year in a 92-84 decision.

The win pushed IU-East, an NAIA scholarship program, to 6-1 on the season. The Red Wolves beat Wittenberg a year ago by a 94-80 score on their home floor after the Tigers had won the first meeting between the two programs in Springfield by 11 points in February 2009.

The difference in the game was the play of IU-East's Matt Trimnell, who made himself at home in Pam Evans Smith Arena by scoring 36 points in 37 minutes. He shot 10-of-15 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range, and he added 12-of-14 from the free throw line.

With the score tied 32-32, Trimnell outscored Wittenberg 16-7 over the final 4:16 of the first half. He drained four three-pointers and four free throws without a miss in that stretch to completely change the complexion of what had been a closely contested game.

Trimnell wound up with 24 of his 36 points in the opening 20 minutes. He got plenty of help from his teammates in the second half as the Red Wolves' bench outscored Wittenberg 37-20.

The Tigers led by as many as six points in the early going before Trimnell took over. After trailing by as many as 17 points in the second half, Wittenberg pulled to within seven points twice in the final minute but could get no closer.

Wittenberg shot a respectable 48 percent from the field, but IU-East was better at 58 percent, including a 63 percent clip in the second half to hold the Tigers at bay. Interestingly, while Wittenberg held a 15-7 advantage in second chance points and a 38-24 edge in points in the paint, the Red Wolves actually won the rebounding battle 30-29.

The Tigers were paced offensively by senior Alex Brandt (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy) with 19 points and three assists. However, 17 of his 19 points were scored in the first half.

Sophomore Steven Newell (Dayton, Ohio/Northmont) gave the Tigers a lift from the perimeter, finishing with 18 points in his first starting assignment at the shooting guard spot. It was the second-best scoring performance of his collegiate career.

Also in double figures were junior Cam Walton (Waterville, Ohio/Anthony Wayne) with 15 points and five rebounds and senior Clayton Black (Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster) with 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists before fouling out late in the game.