The Schreiner Mountaineers continued their winning streak, securing their fifth straight victory with an 88–78 win over the Texas Lutheran Bulldogs. This triumph not only extended their dominance but also set a new NCAA season wins record. The win came on a significant night for the Bulldogs, as it marked their final home game and senior night. Schreiner now stands at 16–5 overall and 9–3 in SCAC play.
Strong Start by TLU and Teddy Tapken’s Dominance
Texas Lutheran came out strong, fueled by an impressive performance from Teddy Tapken. He scored 16 of his 27 points in the first half, showcasing his shooting ability by going 11-of-15 from the floor. Tapken’s early scoring, which included two three-pointers and multiple strong finishes at the rim, helped TLU maintain momentum in the opening minutes.
However, Schreiner quickly responded. Kamden Ross turned the tide with a powerful dunk, giving the Mountaineers their first lead at 8–7. This dunk was just the beginning of an outstanding night for Ross, who recorded a massive double-double with 35 points (13-of-21 shooting), 10 rebounds, and 2 blocks.
Schreiner’s First-Half Surge
With Ross controlling the paint, the Mountaineers’ bench provided key contributions. Mario Johnson scored 8 points on 4-of-6 shooting, while Bradley Russell and Carson Diamond also added valuable points. Schreiner built a 12-point lead at 37–25, but Texas Lutheran fought back, trimming the deficit to 41–39 with just seconds left in the half.
Just when it seemed TLU had momentum, Dylan Mackey and Beau Cervantes responded with a late push. Cervantes drilled a three-pointer just before halftime, extending Schreiner’s lead back to 46–39.
Schreiner Holds Off TLU in the Second Half
The Mountaineers came out strong in the second half, stretching their lead to 51–41 behind a three-pointer from Dylan Snow. Ross remained dominant inside, while Cervantes and CJ Ward combined to keep up the pressure on TLU’s defense.
Despite being down, the Bulldogs refused to back down. Xavier Phillips knocked down four three-pointers, finishing with 14 points, and Mason Wallace provided energy off the bench with another 14. TLU’s aggressive rebounding, especially on the offensive glass (17 offensive rebounds), helped them stay in the game. They managed to cut the deficit to just six points at 72–66.
However, Schreiner responded when it mattered most. Snow drained a crucial three-pointer to put the Mountaineers up 80–66 with under four minutes remaining. From there, Schreiner’s defense tightened, preventing TLU from mounting a serious comeback. Ross sealed the win with a final dunk and a pair of free throws, capping off his incredible night.
Alongside Ross’s 35-point performance, Cervantes added 14 points and 5 assists, while Mackey contributed 7 points, 3 assists, and 2 steals. CJ Ward also played a solid all-around game with 6 points and 4 rebounds.
For Texas Lutheran, Tapken’s 27 points led the way, while Phillips and Wallace chipped in 14 points each. Despite their efforts, TLU’s struggles from beyond the arc (8-of-34, 23.5%) ultimately hindered their chances of a comeback.
Schreiner will now shift focus to their upcoming home games against Texas Lutheran and the Southwestern Pirates next weekend in Kerrville. With their strong form, the Mountaineers will look to extend their winning streak and build momentum for the postseason.
