Trojans Outlast Saints in Colby

COLBY, Kan. – The No. 13 Seward County lost a close battle with the Colby Trojans on Wednesday, falling in the Colby Community Building 77-72. The win snapped a nine-game conference win streak for the Saints. Seward now stands at 16-4 overall and 9-2 in Jayhawk play.

Seward was hitting early, but threes by the Trojans kept Colby ahead of the Saints through the first seven minutes, 16-13. Seward held Colby to just one point for the next four minutes, going on a 6-0 run to take a two-point lead at the media timeout.

The Saints kept the run going coming out of the media break, but another three-pointer by the Trojans ended the run to keep it a one possession game. Back-to-back dunks on the next two possessions gave the Trojans a 26-25 lead. A 10-2 run by the Trojans extended their lead nine points. Seward cut the deficit to four points by the end of the half to make it 38-34 at halftime.

Seward came out of the gate and tied it up with a Montrevion Flowers fast break layup as he weaved in and out of defenders. A few minutes later, the Trojans hit a three at the top of the key to retake the lead. Colby kept the lead until moments before the media break when Isiah Small connected on a three from the wing to make it 57-55.

After trading blows, the Trojans went on a 6-0 run to take a six-point lead with under three minutes to play, heading to the free throw line to get the points. The Trojans pushed their lead to seven points before the Saints used baskets from Flowers and Devin Bethely to make it 72-69 with 1:18 left in the game. The Saints forced an errant inbounds pass to their advantage, using a Reggie Miller three to tie the game. With thirty seconds left in the game, a foul sent the Trojans back to the line where they hit both free throws. A blocked Seward shot followed by a free throw by Colby pushed the lead to three points with 15 seconds left. Threes at the end of the game couldn’t fall and Colby hit more free throws to win 77-72.

Seward shot 35 percent (25-for-72) from the field and 16 percent (3-for-19) from behind the arc. The Trojans connected on 38 percent (23-for-61) from the floor and 29 percent (5-for-17) from deep.

Mohamed Selmi led five Saints who reached double-figures with 17 points. He also added eight rebounds. Montrevion Flowers (13 pts), Reggie Miller (11 pts), Isiah Small (11 pts) and Marco Morency (10 pts) each reached the ten point mark as well.

Seward will be back in action on Saturday (Jan. 26) in the Greenhouse against Barton. The game will tip at 8:00 p.m. and free tickets are avaiable at Ruffinos Italian Restaurant, Jac’s Kitchen, Billy’s, Rapid Fit, Gliks, North Hutch’s, and North Pizza Hut thanks to Ruffinos and Seaboard Foods.