By Anthony Robinson

Just one night after the Trojans lost their third game since the Christmas break by less than one possession, head coach Steve Blazek was able to pick up win number 500 of his career.   The Trojans defeated the Clarinda Cardinals 66-51 Friday night.

With the win the Trojans improved to 5-5 in Hawkeye 10 conference games and 7-9 overall.

Sophomore forward Dalton Franken, coming off an 18-point performance Thursday night against Tri-Center, scored four of the Trojans’ first nine points.  The Trojans were able to disrupt the Cardinals offense all quarter, taking an 11-to-seven lead into the second quarter.

After an early three-point field goal by junior Jeremiah Haug, Clarida pulled within one point early in the second.  The Cardinals took their first lead at the 5:40 mark in the second quarter, 14-13.  The Trojans regained the lead after a jumper by Franken less than 20 seconds later.

After eight consecutive points by junior Brandon Sweet, Clarinda took a 22-17 lead with two minutes remaining in the half.  The Cardinals led 26-24 heading into the locker rooms.  Sweet’s eight points led all scorers. Franken led the Trojans with eight points, and junior Blake Esbeck had seven points.  Clarinda went four-for-five from the free throw line in the first half. The Trojans went to the line only three times in the first half and were able to only make one.

After a strong move to the hoop by sophomore Harrison Hoegh, the Trojans tied the game at 26.   Early in third, the Trojans were able to get great post position against Clarinda, but were unable to score.   Clarinda took their largest lead of the second half at five, after a three-pointer by senior Nick Lasley.  After a three-point play by Esbeck, the Trojans tied the game back up at 33 with 2:10 remaining in the third quarter.   The Trojans took their first lead of the second half, 35-33 after a jumper in the lane by Franken.  The Trojans headed to the fourth leading 37-36.

Sophomore point guard Chad Christensen, who has been a major point contributor averaging 17.7 points over the last three games, was held scoreless Friday night, and was sent to the bench with four fouls at the midway point of the third quarter.

Coming into the game averaging only four points per game, Esbeck scored 21 points to lead all scorers Friday night.  Esbeck went 7-7 from the free throw line and scored 14 points in the second half.

After a lay-up by junior Jared Stansbury, the Cardinals tied the game at 39 early in the fourth.  Offensive rebounds by Clarinda, gave the Cardinals numerous second chance opportunities in the fourth quarter.  After a bucket by Sweet gave the Cardinals a 47-46 lead, the Trojans took control of the game.

Esbeck hit a huge three from the left wing to put the Trojans ahead, 49-47 with 3:33 left in the game.  The Trojans went on to outscore the Cardinals 17-4 over the final three minutes of the game.

Franken scored 20 points Friday, just short of Esbeck’s 21 points which led the Trojans.  As a team, the Trojans went an impressive 17-for-21 from the free throw line, after making only one of three in the first half.

The Trojans host the Harlan Cyclones Tuesday night in the Trojans’ final home game of the regular season.