DEERFIELD, Ill. – Four Trojans finished in double figures, as Trinity International used a complete team performance to upset the 14th-ranked Olivet Nazarene Tigers 79-78, Saturday afternoon inside Van Dixhorn Arena.

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Junior center Zach Kirschbaum led the way with his fifth double-double in his last five appearances, finishing with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the win. Luke Mead came off the bench to match his career high with four three-pointers, tallying 15 points, while Thomas Amrine and Greg Carlyle each scored 10.

"It was a big-time basketball game today, between two teams that were competing really hard. We're thankful to come out on top and take another step in the growth of our program," said TIU head coach Boomer Roberts after the win, the first over a nationally-ranked opponent of his career.

"It was a great team effort, but I thought the trip of Henry French, Grant Corsi, and James Glass did a very good job on [ONU forward Aaron] Larson.," said Roberts.

Kirschbaum and Carlyle combined to score the Trojans' (12-8, 5-6 CCAC) first nine points, giving TIU a 9-4 advantage in the opening minutes. The Tigers (10-7, 9-2 CCAC) answered with seven straight points to claim an 11-9 lead at the 15:25 mark, but that two point advantage would be the largest for the visitors throughout the rest of the game.

"Greg was so tough, and Luke continues to play well with the game on the line," said Roberts. "Zach was going against a big and talented front line, and I thought he was the best player on the floor tonight."
Trinity would hold a narrow lead throughout much of the first half, until an 11-0 run that started with a Kirschbaum three-pointer and ended with back-to-back steals and fast-break dunks from Henry French. The Trojans held a 42-32 advantage after the rally with 2:09 to play in the first half, and would head to the locker room with a 45-38 lead.

Olivet Nazarene re-grouped at the break, and cut the TIU lead down to four points on Tyler Crater's three at the 16:22 mark. Mead answered with a trey of his own on the next possession, then knocked down another to quickly build another double-digit advantage, 59-49. The Trojans would take their biggest lead of the day at 65-52, on Carlyle's swipe and fast-break layup with 13:01 remaining.

The Tigers would rally however, chipping away at the deficit until a pair of free throws from Crater gave ONU a 73-72 lead with 2:24 to play. Mead immediately responded with his fourth three-pointer of the night, then knocked down a pair of clutch free throws to keep the Trojans in front. Down three, the Tigers had one last chance to tie the game but the shot was off the mark.

The Trojans secured their first win over a nationally-ranked opponent since Dec. 7, 2012, an 84-75 victory over No. 23 Indiana-East.

"Obviously we're pleased, but we've got a hungry group in that locker room. We've got some areas we need to shore up, and two great opponents next week."

Trinity hit the road next week for three straight, beginning with a visit to Robert Morris on Wednesday, January 20. Tipoff from Arlington Heights against the Eagles is set for 7:30 p.m.