NOTRE DAME, Ind. -- A quick nine-point rally by the home team midway through the second half proved to be the difference, as Trinity International suffered a 78-65 loss to the host Holy Cross Saints, Monday night in the first round of the CCAC Tournament.

Box Score | Season Stats

Senior Justin Peeples finished with a team-high 15 points, while junior David Chatman posted 12 points while going 5-for-5 from the field. Thomas Amrine was the third player in double figures, with 11 points.

The Trojans led for much of the opening minutes, after Amrine's three and a pair of Chatman field goals gave TIU a 7-4 lead in the first two and a half minutes. HCC's Karl Columbus scored on back-to-back possessions at the 15:14 mark to put the Saints in front for the rest of the half. Holy Cross would go up by as much as seven before the halftime break, when Drew Moore hit a three-pointer with 8:35 on the clock.

Amrine would also close out the scoring for Trinity in the first half, with another three, as TIU cut the deficit to three going into halftime. Chatman collected a team-high nine points before the break, along with four rebounds.

Josh Markum capped off a Trojan comeback in the second half, tying the game at 44-44 with 14:05 to play; Markum then hit his second stright three on the next possession to put TIU in front 47-44. The Saints would quickly tie the game before Dillon Wadsack's free throws edged the Trojans back in front with 9:54 remaining.

Holy Cross would then go on the run that would eventually be the difference. Two straght three-pointers, followed by a layup with the foul highlighted an 11-0 for HCC, as Trinity suddenly found themselves trailing 58-49 with just under seven minutes on the clock.

Peeples cut the lead back down to four with another trey, but Holy Cross would pull away, outscoring TIU 20-11 over the final five and a half minutes.

"This was a bitter end to a great ride," said head coach Boomer Roberts after the game. "Like we have all season, we really competed on the court tonight. For whatever reason, our shots didn't drop as often as we needed. As competitors, it hurts to fall short, but I am so proud of our group, for their unbelieveable effort, and big-time attitudes all year."

Trinity finishes the season by more than doubling their win total from last year under the first-year head coach. "We changed what TIU Basketball is about," said Roberts. "Locker rooms at the end of the season are always tough, but this team is going to produce men who are difference-makers in the world, which is our first goal. Our five seniors have set the tone for the program, and we will miss each of them. I am humbled and grateful that God allowed me to be the coach of such an incredible group of men that beecame a very tight family."

"This group will provide the foundation for everything we do in the future, and we will continue to build a program that our University, alumni, and fans will be proud of."