The Trenton Bulldogs fought through the adversity of a poor third quarter to rally in the final eight minutes, beating the Marceline Tigers on Tuesday night, 45-41 in the back-end of a varsity doubleheader from THS on Hot Country Z 101.7.
Trenton held a 22-21 halftime advantage, but struggled in the first half trying to slow down dynamic Marceline junior guard Desmond Harrison, who scored 17 of the Tigers 21 first-half points. Lathan Croy had a good bounce-back from a cold shooting game in a Saturday loss to Winston, hitting a pair of three-point shots in a 12 point half for the senior.
In the third quarter, the Bulldogs only manager a Croy three-pointer and a Carson Radcliff two-point shot, and lost the lead, trailing 31-27 going into the final quarter. However, Trenton had the foul advantage, with the Tigers putting the home team in the bonus early in the fourth quarter.
While not at all ‘perfect’ from the line over the final eight minutes, Trenton shot 21 free throws in the span (making 13) in outscoring the visitors 18-10. Sophomore center Carson Burchett only scored four points for the Bulldogs, but they came at huge moments, with an early fourth-quarter basket helping to drag Trenton out of its offensive slump, and two late free throws helping keep Marceline’s deficit at two possessions.
Head Coach Jeremy Austin credited defense for helping Trenton get its third win of the season:
Croy led the Bulldogs with 16 points, while Carson Radcliff added 14 (8 in the final quarter). Trenton’s defense did a superb job on Harrison in the second half, with the Tiger junior leading his team with 22 points, but just five after halftime. Levi Terrell added nine. The 3-2 Bulldogs host Chillicothe on Thursday night at 7:30 on KTTN FM 92.3.
