DEERFIELD, Ill. – Caleb Kelley led Trinity International with a career-high 22 points, but the Trojans were unable to hold their early lead, falling to the Purdue-North Central Panthers 97-86, Saturday afternoon inside the Van Dixhorn Arena.

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Kelley knocked down four three-pointers for the second game in a row, as four Trojans finished in double figures on the day. Cory Windle matched his season best with 20 points, nearly recording a double-double by bringing in nine rebounds. Jeremy Carlyle and Sean Smith each finished with 17 points.

Defensively, the Trojans (8-7, 2-5 CCAC) struggled to contain the Panther big men, as Purdue-North Central (9-6, 3-4 CCAC) out-rebounded TIU 43-29, and outscored Trinity 58-24 in the paint. The Panthers' 97 points is the most given up by the TIU defense this season.

"The way our guys battled tonight was indicative of how they have approached the past two weeks," said TIU head coach Boomer Roberts. "They come in read yto work hard and play for each other every day, and it shows on the court."

Trinity led the way from the start, forcing three Panther turnovers in their first four possessions. TIU hit four of their first six three-point attempts, including a pair of treys from Carlyle and Smith, to take an 18-8 lead at the 14:56 mark of the first half. Back-to-back threes on the other side of the floor fueled an 11-0 run for the visitors that put PNC in front 19-18 just a minute and a half later.

Windle knocked down a three to briefly put the Trojans back on top 21-19, but a seven unanswered points gave the Panthers the lead for good, 32-25 with 9:29 to play in the half. Purdue's lead stretched to as much as 15 late in the first half, before Windle trimmed the deficit with a three-pointer inside six seconds remaining, and the Trojans trailed 55-43 at the break.

The Trojans worked the lead down in the second half, beginning with Carlyle's three-pointer in the first play out of halftime. A 9-0 run spanning three minutes cut the Panthers' lead down to 65-61 with 12:09 to play. Kelley made it a one-point game with 9:53 on the clock, but Trinity were unable to pull even, as Purdue scored on four straight possessions to pull away, 79-70, and the Trojans weren't able to make another run.

"I'm thankful to be the coach of the TIU Trojans," said Roberts as his team prepares to rest over the Christmas break. "I'm proud of every single guy that has put on a Trinity uniform this season, and we will be ready to make some noise in the second semester."

Trinity will return to action on Tuesday, January 5th; the Trojans head to St. Ambrose for a CCAC matchup with the Fighting Bees, starting at 7:30 p.m.