Indiana Tech entered this season with a set of goals, and top of that list was: Win a conference game; they did that Saturday.
The Warriors defeated Thomas More 22-7 in Fort Wayne, Ind. to log that first-ever conference win in the Big Rivers.
Thomas More came into the match depleted in numbers. A confluence of several things, from visas to school issues to some expected transfers not transferring has left the Saints with a far too small roster. They arrived with 16 healthy players and had to use their one sub within 10 minutes.
However, the players on the field were most definitely capable. Flanker Malibongwe Mkosi was tough to contain and co-captain Hamish Brakell was imposing. Up front props Jeremy Gimmel and Mike Weller certainly asked questions of the Indiana Tech defense.
The Saints got down to the Warrior tryline and seemed to be over, but Tech managed to hold them up.
Still stuck in their own end of the field, Indiana Tech finally got out when fullback NOah Hughes sold a dummy and sidestepped his way through to midfield.
That seemed to give Indiana Tech come confidence and they kept up the pressure until a penalty in a kickable position allowed flyhalf Dakota Faulkner to slot three points.
Penalties continued to be an issue for Thomas More through the first half. A series of penalties on defense in the breakdown led to a lineout inside the TMU 22.
The Warriors won the throw and patiently worked their way close. Faulkner zipped through with a key run and then when he got the ball back committed the TMU defense before setting up prop Tristan Roberts, who thundered over.
Faulkner converted and it was 17-0 at halftime.
