Both teams exploded offensively, especially at the line, but TCJ Eagles Men's Basketball came up just a bit short in a high-powered shootout wth the Eagles from the University of Fort Lauderdale on Thursday. Trinity outshot UFTL percentage-wise, but Fort Lauderdale took and sank more total shots to win the exciting match-up 95-87. 

In a game that saw 6 total lead changes and 4 ties, the teams combined for 182 points on 46% shooting from the field, 13 of 31 (42%) three-pointers, and 59 of 72 foul shots (82%) going in. Both teams shot well over 50% from the field in the first half: 60% for UFTL and 56% for TCJ. 

The teams traded leads four times within the first 3:15 before Fort Lauderdale began to slowly build a 14-point lead at 28-14 with 12:20 left thanks to a 20-7 run in the previous 3:13. Seth Joseph hit a three to start that run, and Fort lauderdale got points from Joseph and six teammates during that span. 

Trinity, though, began to chip away and pulled to within 10 at 36-26 at the 8:49 mark. The remainder of the half went to Trinity 22-13. With 20 seconds left, Alex Dawson hit a three to give Trinity a short-lived 48-47 lead, but Fort Lauderdale's Jimel Cofer, Jr. responded with a jump shot with 3 seconds left to give his team a 1-point advantage at halftime. 

The teams stayed within 5 points of each other for most of the second half. Two more lead changes saw Fort Lauderdale leading 81-77 with 4:59 left to play. Tayden Ownes (free throws) and Diego Fernandez (jump shot) tied the score at 81 with 4:39 remaining.  Fort Lauderdale then outscored Trinity 14-6 the rest of the way, converting 7 of 9 foul shots in the process. Each team had 4+ men score in double figures. UFTL was 25 for 30 (83%) at the line, and Trinity was 32 for 42 (76%).

Fernandez scored 20 points in the first half and 18 in the second on route to his second 30-point game and fourth 20-point game of the season. He sank 5 of 6 three-point shots and 11 of 15 foul shots. Owens scored 15, sinking 11 of 14 from the line. Dawson hit a pair of threes as part of his 11 points, and Maximus Fuentes scored 10 for Trinity. Brandon Hill finished with 9 while DJ Thompson and Jayden Little each added 2. 

Fort Lauderdale got double figures from Cofer (18), Joseph (18, 6 for 6 at the line), Adiran Body (12), Chris Berry (12, 6 for 6 at the line), and Vugar Kuliev (12). Cofer's three-pointer broke the 81-81 tie and put his team ahead to stay. Seven teammates contributed points in the win. 

After Thanksgiving, Trinity will visit Jacksonville's University of North Florida for a NCAA Division 1 exhibition at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 29. The game will air on UNF's ESPN+ channel. The Eagles will then host NAIA New College of Florida on December 2 before playing five straight on the road between December 3 and 22 to close out the first semester of play.