DEERFIELD, Ill. - Holding the top-scoring team in the CCAC to nearly 20 points under their season average, Trinity International earned their third victory over a nationally-ranked opponent Saturday night, 83-67 over No. 19 Robert Morris.
Box Score | Season StatsSenior guard
Thomas Amrine posted 14 points in the win, while fellow senior
James Glass collected five points and four boards in the win.
Grant Corsi and
Jeremy Carlyle each finished with a game-high 15 points, while
Henry French and
Zach Kirschbaum also scored double figures, with 13 and 12 points, respectively. Kirschbaum also recorded his 15th double-double of the year, most in the CCAC, with 13 rebounds.
"Tonight was about James, Thomas, [
David Chatman], Mason Hunter, and Scott Garlinger," said TIU head coach
Boomer Roberts after the win. "Those seniors who have worn a TIU uniform this year have taken this program to a different level with their love, work ethic, belief, and sacrifice. I'm very proud of their performance, but it was spurred by those guys. We wanted to do it for them."
A win for the Eagles (21-9, 14-6 CCAC) would have earned an automatic bid into the NAIA Tournament, but Trinity jumped out early with five straight points from Amrine as part of an 11-2 opening run. The Trojans (19-11, 11-9 CCAC) would hold that lead the rest of the way. A quick 9-0 run spanning 1:02 for the Eagles would close the gap to 26-21 with 5:15 left in the first half, but Trinity would double-up RMU 14-7 to end the half, taking a 40-28 advantage at the break.
The Trojans attacked early again in the second half, scoring six straight points that included two quick scores from Carlyle. Trinity's lead grew to as much as 20 points when Glass knocked down a jumper at the 13:48 mark to make it a 61-41 score.
"We know RMU is such a storied program, but we competed really hard for 40 minutes and has some fortunate bounces go our way," said Roberts. "We're humble, hungry, and thankful, and we're not done yet."
TIU finishes the regular season with 19 victories, the most in a single-season for the program since 1998-99. That year was also the Trojans' last winning season until this year.
The Trojans lock up the No. 6 seed in the CCAC Tournament, which tips off Wednesday, February 24. Trinity will face the 3rd-seeded St. Xavier Cougars on the road, with a game time to be announced at a later date.