Career-Nights by Fuhrmann and Niehaus Lift TU to First Win
UPLAND, Ind. – Playing without its injured leading scorer, Jason Hubbard, and facing a second-half deficit of 14 points, Taylor used career-nights from sophomore guards, Kaden Fuhrmann and Grant Niehaus, in a gritty, 76-65, victory over Miami-Middletown.
Fuhrmann and Niehaus combined for 42 of TU’s 76 points, with 29 coming during the second-half comeback by the Trojans. Fuhrmann led all players with a career-high 26 points, notching his second game of at least 25 points already this season and sinking four triples for a third-straight outing. The Liberty Township, Ohio native also posted a personal-best by going 10-of-10 from the free throw line and added five rebounds, three assists and one steal.
Niehaus provided a needed lift off the bench for Taylor, posting career-highs of 16 points and five rebounds, while going six-of-nine from the field.
The duo had plenty of help, as Aaron Hahn finished one point shy of his first collegiate double-double with nine points, 11 rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists. Jeff Clayton chipped in with eight points, six boards and two blocks, Jakeb Kinsey provided seven points in his best collegiate showing to date and Jackson Lewis did a little bit of everything at the point, finishing with seven points, four assists, three steals and three rebounds.
Taylor’s defense also excelled in the contest, holding the Thunderhawks (0-4) to a 37.9-percent clip from the field and a three-of-15 showing from beyond the arc. TU posted season-highs with nine steals and six blocks and held its opponent under 70 points for the sixth time in as many games to open the season.
Despite the final numbers, TU found itself in a 14-point deficit just over one minute into the final stanza, as it struggled to find its way without Hubbard against the extremely physical MUM defense.
After shooting just 32.3 percent in the first half and attempting only four free throws, Taylor switched gears after the break and began attacking the paint and drawing fouls. The result was a 51.9-percent field goal rate over the final 20 minutes and a 15-of-20 showing from the charity stripe.
Fuhrmann ignited the second-half charge, scoring 16 points during a game-saving, 21-7, Trojan rally that erased the 14-point deficit and gave TU new life at 50-50.
Two more points from Fuhrmann got Taylor over the hump at 54-52, but it was a 12-0 spurt in the following moments that put TU on top to stay.
Niehaus fueled that rally with six points sandwiched around back-to-back triples from Gavin Yoon and Lewis, as Taylor bolted to a 67-56 lead with 5:07 remaining and finished off its first victory of the young campaign.
Taylor closed the contest on a 44-21 blitz over the final 15:55 of game action and outscored its guests by a 48-27 gap in the second half.
The Trojans (1-5) will look to ride that momentum into their next game when they host Wilberforce (3-4) at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 16.
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