WINONA LAKE, In.--- Asbury guard Dakota Walden showed out on day two of the NCCAA National Tournament, scoring 20 points with eight rebounds as AU (20-7) beat Trinity International (16-15) on Thursday afternoon, 92-83. 

AU relied on their efficient offense in win number 20 on the season, shooting 46.7 percent from the field and knocking down 15 threes. Asbury's defense held TIU to shooting 38.8 percent from the field. 

Walden grabbed two steals, two assists, and a block to go along with his game-high 20 points. Ben McNew was second in scoring for Asbury with 17 points on 6-12 shooting, going 4-6 from three. McNew also dished three assists and grabbed three boards. 

John Shoulders scored 15 for the second straight day, making three three-pointers and dishing five assists. Nick Fort and Caleb Wallis each grabbed five rebounds, Wallis going 3-6 from distance for 11 points. Clayton Winter led AU with 11 rebounds, his eighth time this season with double-digit boards.

TIU led throughout the first half, taking their largest lead at 25-17 from a Stratton Loworn three-pointer. Asbury responded to score 23 points in the final 6:28 of the half, going into the break leading 40-31. 

The 23-6 run to finish the first half for Asbury was powered by six different Eagles scoring, McNew leading the way with 11 straight points in the swing. 

A Nick Fort layup and Caleb Wallis three started the second half for AU right where they left off in the first. A John Shoulders three extended the Asbury lead over TIU to 50-36 with 17:47 remaining.

Ashton Owens and Ben McNew drilled two more Asbury threes, giving the Eagles their largest advantage of the day with 10:33 to go, 68-46. 

Trinity International battled back to get within four at 71-75 with 4:24 remaining. Two Caleb Wallis threes gave AU the extension they needed to regain control, leading Asbury to their 20th win on the year and first in the NCCAA National Tournament. 

Asbury moves to 20-7 on the season and advances to the next round of the consolation bracket. 


"Back to back days in the tournament is very tough mentally and physically. I thought the guys used every ounce of energy they had to get the win . We had a lot of contributions from a lot of players ."
Will Shouse | Asbury Head Coach

"It felt great to bounce back and get a win today after a tough loss yesterday. I couldn't be prouder of this team and how they responded today. Everyone played a great game and we couldn't have got the job done today without every player and coach on this team."
Dakota Walden | Asbury Guard 


* Dakota Walden | 20 PTS, 7-12 FG, 4 3PT, 8 REB, 2 STL, 2 AST, BLK
* Ben McNew | 17 PTS, 4-6 3PT, 4 AST, 3 REB
* John Shoulders | 15 PTS, 5 AST, 3 3PT
* Caleb Wallis | 11 PTS, 5 REB, 4 AST
* Nick Fort | 12 PTS, 5 REB
* Clayton Winter | 11 REB (8th time this season double-digit boards), 11 PTS


* Asbury went on a 23-6 run to finish the first half
* AU made 15 threes


Asbury moves on to face Sterling College in their final game of the 2022-2023 season for a chance to finish fifth overall in the NCCAA National Tournament. 


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