DEERFIELD, IL - The TIU men's basketball team was defeated by the College of the Ozarks Bobcats, 70-60 on Saturday.  Despite great effort by the Trojans, C of O was simply too much, leading the entire game.

Freshman guard Mike Wiebe (Branson, MO) led the Bobcats scoring 18 points and bringing down 7 rebounds securing a win. The key to the College of the Ozarks victory were points in the paint and points off the bench. The Bobcats outscored the Trojans 38-24 in the paint, and 33-8 off the bench, including a superb contribution by freshman forward Derrick Williams (St. Joseph, MO) scoring 17 points.

The game started off slow with the Bobcats in the lead but picked up towards the end of the first half. With 7:30 left in the first half the Trojans went on an 8-point run bringing them within 3 points of the Bobcats, 20-23. The two teams sparred back and forth leaving a halftime score of 24-27

Starting the second half Trojan junior guard Patrick Atkins (Chicago, IL) 12 points and 5 assists, scored a layup almost tying the Bobcats 26-27. However, the Bobcats would answer the Trojans best efforts going on an 8-point run with 17:33 left in the game. The College of the Ozarks would never allow TIU to contest their lead.

With 11:24 left in the game junior forward/center Ignas Verbus (Vilnius, Lithuania) 23 points 4 rebounds, passed the ball behind his back to a swooping Atkins for a lay-up which would turn into a 3-point play. Chemistry was observed between the Trojans but as a team they were out shot FG% by the Bobcats 32.8%-50.0%, respectively.

The College of the Ozarks biggest lead of the night was 13 points with 3:29 left in the contest. The Trojans would chip away at that lead, but would end the game in defeat to the Bobcats, 70-60.

The Trojans (2-11) look for a home victory this Tuesday December, 8^th against Saint Xavier University (8-2). Come cheer on the Trojans as a BLUE OUT is in effect at Meyers Sports Complex at 7:00 PM.