Trinity Christian took a 76-75 lead with just 39 seconds on the clock when Will Bruinsma banked home a layup. Just 15 seconds later, Edwards, a freshman at Judson, made the biggest shot of his career swooshing a three-pointer to give Judson the one-point lead, 78-76. Trinity Christian had a chance for the win but Judson's defense forced the Trolls' Brad Martin to take an unwanted shot with nine seconds left that missed. Judson received the defensive rebound as it went out of bounds off a Trinity player. Edwards received the inbounds pass and was quickly fouled with seven seconds left. He then stepped to the free throw line and netted his only two free throw attempts of the night to secure the four-point win.
Edwards led all scorers with 26 points as he shot 50% from three-point range (6-of-12). Freshman Landon Skinner (Plano, TX) added 23 points with 17 coming in the second half. Senior Dewayne Robinson (Memphis, TN) finished off Judson's scoring with 14 points while leading Judson with eight rebounds. Trinity Christian's Ross Stuursma had 22 points.
Ben Rayhorn (Dakota, IL) started the game off for Judson by making a free throw for the first lead, 1-0, but Trinity Christian outscored Judson, 11-6, in the next five and half minutes for a four-point lead, 11-7. Judson responded with a 15-7 run over five and half minutes for a three-point advantage, 23-18, with 8:23 left in the half. Trinity Christian fought right back with a 9-4 run to tie the game at 27. After a 29-29 tie, the fifth of the game, Judson had a 7-2 run to take a five-point lead, 36-31. Edward finished off the run with one of his three-pointers for the five-point advantage. Judson was then only up by three points at the half when Trinity Christian's Matt Buren made two free throws to end the half, 38-35.
The most exciting basketball was played in the second half as both teams shot above 35% from three-point range. Judson made 40% of their shots from the arc while Trinity Christian connected on 36%. Judson had a four-point lead, 45-41, just three minutes into the half when Trinity Christian had an 8-2 run to take a 49-47 lead with 14:15 remaining. Edwards did not let that one-point lead last as he connected on another three-pointer to put Judson up, 50-49. In the next two and half minutes, Trinity Christian's defense took over and did not allow a point by Judson while scoring six for a five-point lead, 55-50, at the 10:59 mark.
Trinity Christian kept their lead but Judson was threatening. Judson came within two, 55-53, on a LeStan Hoskins (Danville, IL) layup with 9:15 left but the Trolls would push their lead seven, 64-57, with 6:10 remaining. It was at this point that the momentum switched to Judson as they finished the game on a 23-7 run for the win.
Judson finished the game shooting 41% from the floor, 33% from three-point range, and made 82% of their free throws. Trinity Christian made 44% of their shots but only shot only 24% from beyond the arc and 63% from the stripe. Judson also out rebounded the Trolls, 41-37, and forced 11 turnovers.
Judson now has to defeat Calumet College on Saturday, February 21st, in Elgin, IL, to secure their second straight CCAC regular season championship. Game time is at 7:30 p.m.
Judson had not won a CCAC men's basketball championship until last season. If Trinity Christian wins on Saturday against Trinity International, the regular season championship will go to Cardinal Stritch, Judson, and Trinity Christian as all three teams would finish at 10-2.
NOTES: The CCAC had three teams receiving votes in the NAIA Division II National Poll this week as Trinity Christian was #25 with Cardinal Stritch receiving 23 votes and Judson one vote…This is Judson's first time to receive votes in the national poll this year…Judson becomes only the sixth team in Judson men's basketball history to win 19 or more games…If Judson can win on Saturday, they will be only the third team in Judson men's basketball history to win 20 or more games…This is the fourth time this season that Josh Edwards has made five or more three-pointers in a game and sixth time to score 20 or more points…Edwards has made 73 three-pointers this season and taken 183 attempts which is good for 8th all-time in a single season at Judson…Landon Skinner has 550 points this season and needs just 47 more points to break into Judson's single season top 10 for points in a season…Dewayne Robinson now has 1,743 career points and needs just 81 points to move into second place for career scoring at Judson.
