LAPORTE, Ind. -- Trailing by as much as 15 points in the first half, Trinity International battled back after the break, and earned a 92-83 road win over the Purdue-North Central Panthers for their eighth consecutive victory Saturday night at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium. Six Trojans helped fuel the win by scoring in double figures, led by senior center Nate Ball's 19 points.

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With the win, the Trojans move to 10-10 overall, reaching the .500 mark for the first time since their 1-1 start to the season back on Nov. 1, and overcoming a 1-9 start to the season. Their eight-game winning streak is the longest current streak in the CCAC, and the longest for the TIU basketball program in over 12 years.

For the second time during the current run, the Trojans had to overcome a halftime deficit, as Purdue-North Central shot 54.8% (17-31) from the field in the first half. The Panthers used a 12-2 run during the middle of the half to earn their biggest lead of the night, 31-16 at the 8:12 mark. Justin Peeples connected on a three-pointer on TIU's next possession to end the run, and the Trojans fought their way back into the game. Another three, from Thomas Amrine with 1:18 on the clock, cut the PUNC lead to five points, but Clarence Heath scored in the final minute, making it a 42-35 Purdue-North Central lead at the half.

The Panthers opened up the second half with a score on their first possession, but a dunk from David Chatman, and a Sam Salem layup cut into the lead again, 44-39 with 18:47 to play. A pair of three-pointers, back-to-back treys from Justin Peeples, tied the game at 50-50 just three minutes later. PUNC's Kortez Ross put his team right back in front with a jumper on the other end of the floor, but the Trojans would take the lead after Dillon Wadsack was fouled shooting a three, and connected on all three attempts from the charity stripe, making it a 53-52 TIU advantage with 14:22 remaining.

The free throws were the start of an 8-0 run that put TIU ahead by as much as six points, before North Central put up nine straight of their own to reclaim the lead midway through the second half. Trinity would tie the game three times over the next two minutes, but were unable to get back in front until Ball's jumper at the 8:10 mark that gave the Trojans a 70-68 edge.

TIU would not give up the lead the rest of the way, slowly pulling away with 15 unanswered points, including a 10-for-12 performance from the free throw line during the run.

"Tonight was a struggle, but we made a few key plays and hit free throws late in the game that allowed us to hold them off," said TIU head coach Boomer Roberts after the win. "Credit to PNC, they were flying around and took it to us early, but we were able to respond to get a tough win on the road."

The Trojans finished with a 85.7% (24-28) percentage from the free throw line, marking the second time in the last three games where TIU shot higher than 80% from the line with at least 28 attempts.

Ball earned his fourth double-double of the season, pulling down 14 rebounds to go with his team-high 19 points. Peeples scored 17 points, including a perfect 6-for-6 fron the free throw line and a career-high eight assists on the night. Chatman and Wadsack posted 12 points apiece, while Salem contributed 11 points, and Amrine 10, with a pair of three-pointers in the win. 

"Nate Ball was excellent on both ends, and Peeples was very good offensively in the second half," Roberts said. "Dillon gave us a great spark like he usually does, and DC had some big-time boards at critical times. It was an important team win for our group."

The Trojans look to keep the streak alive as they return home this Monday night; Trinity will host Illinois Tech in non-conference action on January 26. Tipoff against the Scarlet Hawks from Van Dixhorn Arena is set for 7:30 p.m.