Despite shooting 56.5% (26-46) from the field and an astonishing 61.1% (11-18) from 3-point range, the Pirates lost their fourth conference game of the season 75-73 to Trinity on Friday night in Georgetown, TX.
Southwestern started off the game firing on all cylinders draining 6 of their first 7 three-point shots, including 2 each from guards junior Travis Barber and sophomore Nick Caputo.
The hot shooting put the Pirates up by as many as 10 with 6:47 left to play in the first half. Trinity would respond and eventually come within 6, 36-30, at halftime.
The second half started with the Pirates picking up where they left off in the first half. Three's by Barber, junior guard Zach Bergstrom and junior guard Anthony Cox in addition to two Cox jumpers put the Pirates up by 12, 50-38, with 14 minutes remaining.
Poor free-throw shooting allowed Trinity began to chip away at the lead. The Tigers went on a 14-2 run and tied the game at 52 with 9:32 left to play. Southwestern struggled from the free-throw line going 10-22 (45.5%) for the game.
The rest of the game would be a back and forth battle consisting of 6 ties and 3 lead changes. Trinity would claim the lead for good on a pair of Luke Caldarera free throws with 52 seconds remaining. Southwestern fouled to try to bring the game closer, but Trinity went 7-8 from the free throw line in the final 35 seconds to seal the game for the Tigers. A last second three by Bergstrom brought the Pirates within two as time ran out.
Southwestern had a balanced attack on the night as four Pirates scored in double digits. Cox and Bergstrom led the way with 14 points each. They were followed by Barber and Caputo who scored 12 and 11 respectively.
The loss drops the Pirates to 8-5 overall and 1-4 in the conference. They head to Irving, TX on Sunday to take on the University of Dallas in a non-conference game at 4:00 p.m.
