20th-Ranked Lakers Cruise To Win Over Trolls

CHICAGO – In its first game as a ranked team in more than five years, No. 20 Roosevelt proved it belonged among the nation's elite with an 87-57 rout of Trinity Christian on Saturday afternoon at the Goodman Center in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference action.

The Lakers (11-1, 5-0 CCAC) were locked in a tussle with the visiting Trolls in the first half when their shots were not falling. Roosevelt led by just two at halftime, but came out and shot better than 55 percent from the floor in the second half, including making 6 of 13 from 3-point range to close out the blowout. Maurice Commander scored 14 of his 19 points in the final 20 minutes as he connected on 5 of 9 from the field and 3 of 6 from deep in the second half.

Daniel Reed tied Commander for the team lead with 19 points with 10 of those coming in the first half. The transfer guard added a spark off the bench by sinking both of his 3-pointers in the first half and adding two more two-point buckets. He was 3 of 5 from the field in the second half to secure his season high in points. Forte Prater scored 14 points and tied for the team high with six rebounds while Julio Montes II chipped in 11 points and seven assists.

The second half charge was fueled by the Roosevelt defense, which limited the Trolls to just 30 percent shooting in the final 20 minutes. The Lakers broke open the game with a 13-0 run over a 5:14 span in the early part of the half that extended their advantage out to 18. Roosevelt also continued to take advantage of their opponents mistakes by scoring 24 points off 20 takeaways in the game.

Roosevelt will now take a break for the holidays before returning to the Goodman Center on Dec. 29 for a 2 p.m. tipoff against St. Francis (Ind.)