COSTA MESA, Calif. - Thomas Amrine scored a game-high 17 points, including 12 in the second half, fueling a come-from-behind run that gave Trinity International an 82-68 victory over Benedictine-Mesa (Ariz.), Friday afternoon at the opening day of the Vanguard University Thanksgiving Classic in Costa Mesa, Calif.

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The Trojans (7-2) trailed by as much as ten points with 17:52 remaining in the second half, before a 14-4 run over the next three minutes tied the game at 53-53. Grant Corsi scored half of Trinity's points during the run, finishing with nine points on the day.

Benedictine (3-8) answered with a layup-and-one from Reggie Kindle with 14:14 to play, to briefly move back in front. Trinity then scored 12 unanswered, capped off by three-pointers from Amrine and Sean Smith, as the Trojans would move in front for the final time.

"Our defensive effort in the second half was the key to today's win," said TIU head coach Boomer Roberts after the win. "We held them to 27% from the field, while we shot 57%. I thought we had some great energy at the beginning of the game, and for the majority of the second half."

TIU lead in the opening minutes, jumping out to a 5-1 lead behind a fast-break layup from Amrine to open the game, and a steal and breakaway from Greg Carlyle that put the Trojans in front by four points within the game's first 30 seconds. Benedictine worked their way into the lead, moving in front for the first time at the 13:49 mark, on a layup from BU's Bobby Ward. The Redhawks led a small lead throughout most of the first half, and held a 39-35 halftime lead over the Trojans.

Junior forward Zach Kirschbaum led Trinity with 12 first-half points, finishing with 16 on the night, on 6-of-11 shooting. James Glass finished in double-figures with 11 points, while Luke Mead came off the bench to contribute 12 points, shooting 5-for-9 from the field. 

Senior David Chatman collected a team-high eight rebounds in the win, while junior forward Henry French dealt out a career-high seven assists.

"David [Chatman], Henry [French], Sean [Smith], and Luke [Mead] all made big plays for us off the bench at key times," said Roberts. "Zach [Kirschbaum] kept us afloat for a long stretch in the first half, and Thomas [Amrine] was terrific. It's been a great trip thus far, but we have a good challenge in front of us tomorrow and we're looking forward to the opportunity." Trinity wrap up their Thanksgiving trip tomorrow night when they take on San Diego Christian, for a 5:30 Central tipoff.