DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Earning their second win in a row, and their first in conference play, the Trinity International Trojans secured a 71-65 victory over the Holy Cross Saints on Saturday afternoon inside the Van Dixhorn Arena. A frantic defensive effort forced 36 Holy Cross turnovers, as the Trojans were able to hold the Saints to a 37.3% shooting percentage on the day.

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Four Trojans finished in double figures, with sophomore JaToya Woods collecting a team-high 17 points off the bench. Abbey Bernas and Basha Ramsey each collected a team-leading six rebounds in the win.

Trinity's pressure-filled defense had a big impact on the first half; the Trojans came away with ten steals before the break, and had 17 points off turnovers while building a 43-26 halftime advantage. The Trojans took their biggest lead of the game on their final score before the break, when Bernas scored in the post with 13 seconds on the clock.

Holy Cross made a big run to open the second half, completely erasing the TIU advantage while shutting out the Trojans during a 22-0 run after Ramsey's score to open play after the half. The Saints claimed a three-point advantage, 48-45, with 9:34 to play, and eventually went ahead by as much as six points before the Trojans battled back.

Trinity forced another five turnovers in the final five minutes, coming back to tie the game at 60-60 on Daja Johnson's offensive rebound and another score from Ramsey. A pair of free throws from Woods on the next possession put TIU in front 62-60, and the Trojans would hold off another HCC charge, knocking down 9 of 10 free throws in the closing 1:34.

Along with Woods' team-high 17 points, Ramsey finished with 16, Bernas with a career-high 15. Arielle Miree collected 11 points as well.

The win gives Trinity their first victory in CCAC play in over a year, dating back to Feb. 16, 2013, in a home win over Indiana-South Bend. It's also the team's first set of back-to-back wins since January 2013.

The Trojans will now look to make it three in a row when they travel to South Bend on Wednesday, January 14 to take on the Indiana-South Bend Titans. Tipoff is set for 4:30 Central/5:30 Eastern.