DEERFIELD, Ill. - Coming up just one point shy of the all-time school record, Trinity International used the long ball to re-write the record books anyway, in a 126-78 victory over Silver Lake (Wisc.), on Friday night in the 2016 Trojan Classic.
Box Score | Season Stats
The Trojans (4-1) knocked down a total of 25 three-pointers in the win, setting a new TIU and CCAC single-game record. Trinity's performance from beyond the arc also goes down as the second-highest number of three-pointers made ever in NAIA Division II.
"Tonight was a blast, and all the coaches had to do was get out of the way," said TIU head coach
Boomer Roberts after the game. "Our guys were locked in, brought great energy, and obviously shot the ball ridiculously well. Any time you break a school record and tie for second all-time nationally, it's been a good night."
Seven players finished in double figures, led by sophomore guard
Jeremy Carlyle, who finished with 25 points on 9-of-10 shooting including a perfect 7-for-7 night from three-point range. Ten different players hit at least one trey at some point in the game.
Trinity would take the lead on
Henry French's three-pointer at the 17:30 mark of the first half, responding after Silver Lake (1-6) took the lead with the opening points of the night. The Trojans would hold their advantage the rest of the night, as French's score was part of a 15-0 run that put TIU ahead 15-3.
Grant Corsi would give Trinity its biggest lead of the first half with a layup with 1:27 remaining, as the Trojans went up by a 63-29 margin. TIU would close out the half leading 64-33.
The Trojans would continue to build their lead in the second half, and with 8:17 remaining French would hit a pair of free throws double up the Lakers, 104-52 for Trinity's biggest lead of the night.
"Going down the line, Jeremy was incredible, Greg [Carlyle], Luke, and Sean did what they've been doing all year, and [Nate] Quilling played really well with Don [Wells] out," said Roberts. "What I loved most about it was that it was so evident to everyone in attendance that our guys love each other. Our bench was talking and getting excited every possession, and no one cared who was scoring."
French and Corsi would finish with 14 points apeice, each responsible for a pair of three-pointers in the win.
Sean Smith and
Luke Mead each came off the bench to contribute 13 points, while Mead also led the Trojans with six assists.
Zach Kirschbaum pulled down ten rebounds to pace the Trojans.
"We have a big one against a really hot Waldorf squad tomorrow," Roberts added. "As happy as we are tonight, it'll be a challenge to turn the page quickly."
The Trojans tip off against a Waldorf (Iowa) squad that opened the Trojan Classic with a win over Grace (Ind.). Saturday's matchup will close out the Classic and is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
