MOUNT VERNON, Ohio - A big second quarter put Trinity International on top, but the Trojans were unable to hold off the host Mount Vernon Nazarene Cougars Friday afternoon, falling 65-56 in the 2016-17 season opener.

Box Score

Nika Bracun led the Trojans (0-1) with 12 points on the day, going 4-for-10 from the field and knocking down three three-pointers. Senior guard Sarina Falvo picked up 11 points while playing all 40 minutes. 

The Cougars (1-0) jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, but a quick score from Marlou Peters at the 5:13 mark started a 7-0 run that tied the game at 11-11 with 4:09 to play. A three-pointer from MVNU's Natalie Carpenter in the closing seconds would give the Cougars a four-point, 18-14 advantage at the end of the period.

Trinity's best performances came in the second quarter, when the Trojans overcame a seven-point deficit with a pair of treys from Bracun and a 16-2 run. Tashyra Burroughs gave the Trojans their biggest lead of the night with a three at the 3:04 mark, 33-25.

After the halftime break the Trojans went cold, with Falvo scoring the only bucket for Trinity in the first eight minutes of play in the third period. Bracun ended the drought with 1:27 left in the third, but the Cougars had rallied by that point, taking a 44-39 lead.

A pair of free throws to open the fourth quarter would extend Mount Vernon's lead to 51-39, but the Trojans again would rally. Falvo and Peters would both score on back-to-back possessions, and later a 9-2 run capped off with a Rayelle Ross three-pointer pulled TIU to within four, 56-52 with 3:55 to play. The Trojans would score just once more the rest of the way, as the Cougars finished with seven unanswered points to secure the win.

Bracun and Peters led Trinity with five rebounds on the day, while Falvo and Arielle Miree picked up three assists apiece; Miree also led the Trojans with five steals.

The Trojans are back at it tomorrow afternoon, when they continue their season-opening road trip by taking on Cincinnati Christian. Tipoff against the Eagles is set for 2:00 p.m.