MT. CARMEL, Ill. – The No. 24-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers faced a halftime deficit for the third time in their first five road games. Unlike the previous two however, the Trailblazers responded and came away with a 61-56 win over Wabash Valley.
The Trailblazers were ahead on the scoreboard for most of the first half. Near the nine-minute mark Wabash Valley finally put together a scoring run to take a one-point lead.
The lead would change hands back-and-forth for the remainder of the first period, but the Warriors were able to head into the locker room with a 34-31 advantage at the break.
Vincennes' Hall of Fame Head Coach Todd Franklin made a change to start the second half, starting the final 20 minutes of play with only one starter on the floor in Justin Archer.
Franklin instead deployed the lineup of Archer, Antonio Watson II, DJ Brewton, Tyrus Baynham, Jr. and Jaidon Hunter.
This new group sparked new life into the Trailblazers as VU would battle to take a 44-42 lead with 10:30 remaining on the clock.
Neither team was able to claim a firm control over the game throughout most of the second half, with Vincennes still holding a narrow one-point lead with under six minutes to play.
Then the game finally shifted. Vincennes went on a 9-0 scoring run to hold a 59-49 lead with just over two minutes to go.
Wabash Valley wasn't going to go away quietly however, as the Warriors were able to cut into the lead late, but a key put back by sophomore John Ukomadu helped seal the Trailblazers 61-56 win.
Vincennes was led offensively by freshman Justin Archer, who returned to the starting lineup for the first time in six games, with 18 points and eight rebounds to go along with an impressive five blocked shots on the night.
Redshirt freshman Antonio Watson II came off the bench and found some nice shooting lanes in the WVC zone defense in the second on his way to 13 points, hitting three of seven shots from behind the arc.
Sophomore Randy Tucker nearly finished with a double-double, as he had a team-high 10 rebounds to go along with his eight points and team-leading four assists.
The Trailblazers will return home Saturday, March 6 when VU hosts Olney Central. This game will be the second half of a basketball double-header and is scheduled to tip-off at 7 p.m. eastern.
Olney Central handed Vincennes their first loss earlier this season on the road in Olney 79-70.