DEERFIELD, Ill. -- Three Trojans finished in double figures, highlighted by Thomas Amrine's 24 points, but a 9-0 run for Trinity Christian over the final 1:46 proved to be the difference, as Trinity International falls to the Trolls 80-77, Saturday night inside the Van Dixhorn Arena.

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After a pre-game ceremony recognizing former TIU head coach and athletic director Henry Van Dixhorn, with TIU President Dr. David Dockery, as well as former Trojan players under Van Dixhorn in attendance, the game turned out to be a long-range shootout, as a combined 29 three-pointers were sunk between both sides. Amrine tied the TIU school record for the second time this season, hitting eight threes on the night. Justin Peeples collected 12 points, all on a 4-for-6 performance beyond the arc. Nate Ball nearly picked up a double-double posting 10 points and nine rebounds on the night.

"This was a great college basketball game, in a big-time atmosphere tonight," said TIU head coach Boomer Roberts after the game. "We have a group of tough competitors, so it really hurts to lose a game we felt we should have won."

The Trojans led throughout most of the first half, but never by more than eight points. A three-pointer from Peeples at the 16:03 mark put TIU in front 10-6, less than three minutes later, the Trolls moved in front on a three from TCC's David Buffham, making it a 13-12 score with 13:44 left in the half. Amrine answered with a three of his own a minute later, and TIU would keep the Trolls out of the lead for the rest of the first half.

Amrine's trey at the 1:26 mark gave the Trojans their biggest lead of the night, at 38-30. A pair of TCC buckets before the break would cut the deficit to 38-34 at the half. Amrine and Peeples each had a team-high nine points, all on threes, to lead TIU in the first half.

Following another three from Amrine to open the second half, Trinity Christian would score seven unanswered to tie the game at 41-41, with 16:39 to play. The Trolls would tie the game three more times in the second half, but weren't able to take the lead until the closing seconds.

With TIU ahead by six, 77-71 and with 1:46 on the clock, Trinity Christian would score the final nine points of the game, moving in front with a three-pointer with 20 seconds on the clock. The Trojans would get a pair of looks at the basket to potentially tie the game, but weren't able to get either shot to fall.

"Give TCC credit, they made big shots at big moments," said Roberts. "We fought hard, and had some good looks rim out, which is the way it goes sometimes. But our character is revealed in adversity, and TIU basketball isn't close to done yet. This game won't define our season."

With the loss, Trinity International falls to 7-8 in the CCAC, and 12-13 overall, but remain in the hunt for a spot in the upcoming CCAC Tournament. The Trojans are two games up with four to go, for the first of two wild-card spots in the tournament. TIU are back in action this Wednesday night, when they host Judson for Faculty Appreciation and Honors Night, where the TIU academic award-winners across all sports will be recognized, as well as the Trinity International faculty. Tipoff against the Eagles is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.