Truman sports brief

STEVEN FINDLEY JR. Sports Editor

This section is dedicated to bringing the reader up-to-speed on what has been happening in Truman State University athletics since the previous issue of The Index. From big game results, to incoming recruiting classes, the Truman sports brief will serve as a quick guide for readers to stay in the loop on all things athletics.

Men’s basketball last five

It’s been a shaky last five games for the Bulldogs. Going 2-3 over a span of five games, the team has scored under 70 points in each of their losses but scored over 70 points in their two wins. One of the major highlights from this stretch was sophomore guard Masen Miller’s 27 point night against the University of Missouri-St. Louis, a new career high for the former Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year. Cade McKnight continues to be a consistent player for head coach Jeff Horner, leading the team in scoring three out of the last five games. The Bulldogs have a 13-6 record heading into their matchup against Lewis University. Check out page 12 of The Index to see when the Bulldogs are in action next.

Redshirt freshman guard Sam Lock looks to pass around a pesky defender. Lock has five assists on the season. Photos by Oliver Malone

Truman throwers atop GLVC

Truman thrower Jacob Morris was named GLVC Field Athlete of the Week for his school record breaking performance at the South Dakota State Div. II Invitational. Morris broke fellow teammate Bobby Campbell’s weight throw record with a 19.51m toss according to Truman athletics. Three Bulldog throwers make up the top three weight throw performances this season in the GLVC. Jacob Morris is first with his 19.51m toss, followed by Bobby Campbell with an 18.95m toss Dec. 4 and third is Brendan Baker with a 18.59m toss also Dec. 4. See page 12 of The Index for upcoming meet dates and times for the track and field team.

Cade McKnight player of the week by GLVC

The hardware and accolades continue to pile up for junior forward Cade McKnight. McKnight earned GLVC Player of the Week for the second time this season for his two games played from Jan. 24 - Jan. 30. According to Truman athletics, McKnight averaged 23.5 points per game, pulled down seven rebounds per game and shot 61% from the field over the two games. Another positive for the forward is his free throw shooting, in which McKnight shot 90% from the free throw line over the two games played.

Redshirt junior forward Cade McKnight looks to attack the paint against University of Southern Indiana. McKnight earned his second career GLVC Player of the Week honors.

Men’s basketball signs two freshman guards

According to Truman athletics, the Bulldogs signed two new players to the fall 2022 class. One of the signings is 6’5” guard Preston Turner, from Ellsinore, Missouri. Turner averaged 29 points per game and is the second leading scorer in East Carter High School history according to Truman athletics. The second signing is 5’11” guard Casen Lawrence, a three year varsity starter out of St. Louis, Missouri. Lawrence averaged 15 points and four assists per game for Westminster Christian Academy his junior year, according to Truman athletics.

Junior guard Hunter Strait brings the ball up for the Bulldogs. Truman has two upperclassmen on their roster currently.

Women’s basketball last four

The Bulldogs 10 game winning streak was snapped against the University of Southern Indiana, but the team is still sitting with a great 14-6 record and an even more impressive 10-2 record against the GLVC. One player who made a big impact was freshman guard Gracie Stugart, who scored against McKendree University with a career high 12 point performance and knocked down two three-pointers. The Bulldogs are on the heels of UMSL for the lead in the central division and avenged their loss earlier in the season to the Tritons with a dominant 25 point performance from junior guard Hannah Belanger. An article written about the Bulldog’s recent success is on page 13 of The Index.

Bodies fly to the floor for a loose ball against Lewis University. The Bulldogs had three steals against the Flyers. Photos by Oliver Malone

Above: Freshman forward Eric Northweather pulls up for a jump shot. Northweather led the team in scoring with 16 points against Lewis University.

Right: Forward Dylan Peeters dishes a crisp pass to a teammate. Peeters put up five points in limited action against the Flyers.

Forward Elijah Hazekamp dribbles the ball upcourt on a fast break. Hazekamp led the team in rebounds with nine total against the Flyers.

ATHLETE

o f t h e w e e k

Junior field athlete Jacob Morris had a successful showing at the South Dakota State Div. II Invitational last week. Morris was named Great Lakes Valley Conference Field Athlete of the Week after breaking the school weight throw record with a 19.51m throw. The throw ranks sixth in the entirety of Div. II and holds up first in the GLVC. Morris will look to continue his season Feb. 4 at the Bearcat Open hosted at Northwest Missouri State University. Jacob Morris