Cooper’s second half propels No. 21 Trailblazers past Malcolm X College

VINCENNES, Ind. – The No. 21-ranked Vincennes University Trailblazers returned to action Saturday afternoon for a weekend matinee against Malcolm X College from Chicago, Ill.

The Trailblazers overcame a slow start and were guided by 21 second half points by sophomore Michael Cooper (Minneapolis, Minn.) as the Blazers closed out an 87-66 victory over the visiting Hawks.

Vincennes got off to a slow start Saturday afternoon, with Malcolm X coming out and scoring the first eight points of the game.

The Trailblazers were able to rebound though and answered back by outscoring Malcolm X 21-8 to take a 21-16 lead.

VU closed out the opening half strong, riding an 8-0 scoring run to head into the halftime break leading the Hawks 38-32.

Coming out of the locker room the Trailblazers took their game up another level, opening the second half by outscoring Malcolm X 19-6 to take a 57-38 lead.

Malcolm X would answer back and cut the VU lead back down to 14 before the Blazers used another 8-0 scoring run to open up a 71-48 advantage.

Vincennes was able to keep the defensive pressure up all night as VU was able to close out the game at the free throw line and pick up an 87-66 victory over Malcolm X College.

The Trailblazers were led offensively by sophomore Michael Cooper who finished his night with 21 points, all coming in the second half, while also adding a team-high six steals and three rebounds to his totals.

Freshman Dayton Williams (Louisville, Ky.) finished his night with 15 points and eight rebounds to go along with three assists.

Sophomore and 2024 NJCAA All-American Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) was the third VU scorer in double figures, finishing his day with 11 points, three assists and three rebounds.

Freshman Jalen Calloway (Chicago, Ill.) just missed out on a double-double, ending with nine points and nine rebounds.

Freshman Kenaz Ochogwu (E. Providence, R.I.) got his first collegiate start Saturday and finished the game with eight points, while sophomore Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) added seven points and team-highs 10 rebounds and four assists.

The Trailblazers will return to the P.E. Complex floor Tuesday, Nov. 19 when VU hosts another Region 4 opponent, welcoming Kankakee Community College from Kankakee, Ill.

Tip-off time for your Trailblazers Tuesday night will be 7 p.m. eastern.

VINCENNES BOX SCORE

VINCENNES (87): Michael Cooper 5-8 11-13 21, Kenaz Ochogwu 4-5 0-0 8, Jalen Calloway 4-5 1-2 9, Lebron Thomas 2-6 7-10 11, Dayton Williams 7-15 0-1 15, Christian Andrews 1-3 1-1 4, Meyoh Swansey 0-1 0-0 0, Bryan Akanmu 2-4 3-4 7, Taveon Smith 0-0 0-2 0, Travelle Bryson 3-6 1-2 8, Hussein Elmaraghy 1-1 2-3 4, Team 29-54 26-38 87.

Malcolm X – 32   34 – 66

VU (5-1) – 38   49 – 87

Three-point goals: VU 3 (Williams, Andrews, Bryson). Rebounds: VU 47 (Akanmu 10). Assists: VU 17 (Akanmu 4). Steals: VU 13 (Cooper 6). Blocked Shots: VU 5 (Cooper, Calloway, Williams, Bryson, Smith). Turnovers: VU 27. Personal Fouls: VU 17. Fouled out: None.