ROSWELL, N.M. – The Trinidad State College men's basketball program went 2-0 over the weekend after posting wins against nationally-ranked Odessa and New Mexico Military Institute at the Cahoon Armory in Roswell.

GAME 1: Trinidad State 82, #14 Odessa 79

The Trojans battled for 40 minutes against nationally-ranked Odessa after dropping it's last three games to LCCC, Gillette, and NMMI. The teams walked into half time knotted up at 42 points apiece before the Trojans were able to pull away in the second half and hold on to an 82-79 win.

The Trojans held the Wranglers to 53.3% shooting which included 6 of 19 from three while TSC shot 40.0% from the field off 6 of 26 from deep. Trinidad State managed 24 of 29 (82.8%) from the free throw line while Odessa shot 9 of 17 (52.2%) and also outrebounded the Wranglers 35 to 33.

TSC was led by four Trojans in double figures as Kyren Allen (So., Commerce City, Colo.) managed 18 points and 6 rebounds, Lateef Patrick (So., Milton, Mass.) managed 15 points and 4 steals, and Jack Kingswood (Fr., Perth, Australia) and Amir Reaves (So., Syracuse, N.Y.) tallied 13 points and 5 rebounds each.  

GAME 2: Trinidad State 79, New Mexico Military Institute 78

The Trojans walked into the Cahoon Armory for another battle against the Broncos that came down to the last minute.

Allen missed a put-back dunk but was able to secure the rebound before finding Kingswood who knocked down a three with 1:10 on the clock and give TSC a 77-75 lead. NMMI responded with a three of its own to give the Broncos a one-point advantage with 49 seconds remaining before Patrick made the go-ahead bucket with 41 seconds on the clock. A strong defensive stand allowed the Trojans to hold on to a 79-78 win.

Trinidad State shot 50.8% from the field and 45.8 (11-24) from deep while holding the Broncos to 48.4% shooting and 38.7% (12-31) from three. A low-volume of shots from the free throw line for both squads as TSC finished 6 of 11 (54.5%) and NMMI finished 4 of 7 (57.1%).

The Trojans had a well-balanced attacked and managed six players in double figures as Patrick led the way with 17 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Reaves finished with 14 points and 9 assists and Kingswood added 12 points. Allen tallied 11 points and 8 rebounds while Sean Johnson (Fr., Albuquerque, N.M.) and Devin Davenport (So., Milwaukee, Wis.) tallied 10 points each.

The Trojans look to continue its hot-streak and end the first half of the season strong as the team gears up for Western Wyoming on Friday at 2:30 pm and #6 Salt Lake City on Saturday at noon. Games will be played at NJC at the Bank of Colorado Events Center.

-Trojan Proud-