QUINCY, Ill. – The Truman State Men's Basketball team opened the 2025–26 season with a pair of games at the Midwest Regional Challenge, falling to Findlay on Friday before responding with an 85–76 win over Cedarville on Saturday, giving Head Coach Mike Worley his first career victory.
Findlay 103, Truman State 79
Truman came out strong in Friday's opener, trading blows with Findlay through a tightly contested first half that featured ten lead changes. The Bulldogs jumped in front early behind a three-point play from Julian Brown and a pair of transition finishes from Emmanuel Byrd and Drew Kingery. A Brown three at 15:26 and a Kingery lay-in at 14:48 helped Truman build a 15–11 edge.
The teams continued their back-and-forth pace until the Oilers used a 9–0 run midway through the half to take a 37–30 lead. Truman responded with contributions off the bench when Quientan McCafferty knocked down four free throws, and Jahki Parrinello forced a steal that led to a Ja'Vion Byers layup, bringing the Bulldogs within 44–40 at halftime.
Troy Anderson opened the second half with a three to cut the deficit to one, but Findlay countered with an 8–0 surge and gradually pulled away. Despite aggressive scoring from Parrinello and Byrd, the Oilers shot 59.5 percent in the second half and used a decisive run midway through the period to secure the win.
Team Statistics
Truman State: 25–59 FG (42.4%), 2–11 3PT (18.2%), 27–35 FT (77.1%), 39 rebounds
Findlay: 42–86 FG (48.8%), 8–28 3PT (28.6%), 11–20 FT (55.0%), 47 rebounds
Bulldog Leaders
Truman State 85, Cedarville 76
Truman bounced back on Saturday with its most complete performance of the young season, shooting 56.4 percent from the field and controlling the second half to secure Coach Worley's first career win.
Julian Brown opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and the Bulldogs quickly found rhythm behind Byrd and Parrinello, who combined for 19 first-half points. Three-pointers from Byers and Marquis Carver-Smith helped stretch the advantage, and after Cedarville tied the game late, Truman executed a clean final possession with Parrinello driving and setting up Byrd for a layup at the horn to make it 40–38 at halftime.
The Bulldogs seized control early in the second half. Byrd scored the first five points, including a corner three, and after Cedarville briefly tied it at 49–49, Truman responded with a 14–7 run. Parrinello scored on three straight midrange and driving finishes, Brown connected on a jumper, and Anderson buried a right-wing three as the lead grew to 73–60.
Cedarville cut the margin to eight in the final minutes, but Truman closed the door at the free throw line and sealed the victory with a Parrinello tip-in in the final 40 seconds.
Team Statistics
Truman State: 31–55 FG (56.4%), 8–17 3PT (47.1%), 15–21 FT (71.4%), 33 rebounds
Cedarville: 25–59 FG (42.4%), 9–28 3PT (32.1%), 17–18 FT (94.4%), 27 rebounds
Bulldog Leaders
Up Next:
The Bulldogs will welcome Calvary Bible College to Pershing Arena for the home opener on Wednesday, November 19th at 7:00 PM. Truman State will be hosting Meet the Bulldogs Night starting at 6:00 PM. The game will include free admission and free food while supplies last, and will provide an opportunity to meet Coach Worley and the rest of the Bulldogs staff and players.
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