DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Senior guard Justin Peeples led Trinity International with 13 points, but a red-hot start from the Taylor Trojans put TIU in a hole early, ultimately falling 76-58 in the sixth and final game of the LaQuinta Classic on Saturday night.

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Trinity came out with an early 5-3 lead after Peeples knocked down the first of his two three-pointers on the night, at the 18:42 mark of the first half. Taylor would respond by scoring 17 straight over a five-minute run, and taking a 20-5 lead, with all put one point during the run coming from inside the paint and on fast breaks. 

Things calmed down for Trinity in the middle portion of the first half, as another trey from Peeples, followed by a Nate Ball putback and a three from Josh Markum suddenly cut the Taylor lead down to six, at 25-19 with 6:31 in the half. On a layup with 24 seconds on the clock, Taylor would stretch their lead back out a bit, and head into the halftime break leading 36-24. 

Another quick start for the visiting Trojans in the second half expanded their lead, and a tip-in off a Taylor miss put their team in front by 20, with 15:14 to play. Trinity International were unable to mount a comeback, as Taylor managed their lead the rest of the night.

Along with Peeples' 13 points, Ball collected nine points and a season-high 11 rebounds on the night. Markum and Dillon Wadsack also pitched in with nine points off the bench.

The Trojans will make what will easily be the longest road trip of their season, when they travel for a pair of exhibition games against Alaska-Fairbanks. Tipoff for the first of two games against the NCAA Division II foe is set for Friday, November 14, at 10:30 CST, with the second game coming the next day, November 15, at 4:00 CST.