DEERFIELD, Ill. - A slow start for No. 20 Trinity International proved too much to overcome, as the No. 14 Robert Morris Eagles took a big early lead en route to a 109-91 win over the Trojans on Wednesday night inside Van Dixhorn Arena.

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An 11-0 run spanning less than ninety seconds for the Eagles (15-4, 11-0 CCAC) suddenly put the visitors in front 30-11 at the 12:49 mark of the first half. Robert Morris knocked down five three-pointers in the first seven minutes of play, going 10-for-19 from beyond the arc in the first half, and finishing the night shooting an even 50% (16-32).

"We took one on the chin tonight," said TIU head coach Boomer Roberts. "They were on fire early, and we couldn't hit a shot and it snowballed from there.. We kept competing, but we could never get over the hump. RMU is a very good team, and whey they shoot it like that they're not losing to too many teams in the nation."

Robert Morris would extend their lead throughout the first half, with another three-pointer from RMU's Marlon Sykes at the 8:16 mark that gave the Eagles their largest advantage of the night at 48-17. The Trojans (17-4, 10-2 CCAC) rallied just before the break, going on a 16-2 run to close the gap to 52-36 following a pair of Zach Kirschbaum free throws. Kirschbaum would lead TIU with 12 points in the first half, finishing with a team-high 23 points and 10 rebounds, for his 16th double-double of the year.

Both sides came out firing to start the second half, but Trinity were unable to trim the deficit, until a quick 10-0 rally midway through the period closed the gap to 89-74 with 6:52 to play. Kirschbaum's three-pointer at the 4:11 mark would bring the Trojans as close as they would get, 95-81, before time would run out on a comeback attempt.

Four Trojans finished in double figures, led by Kirschbaum's 23. Grant Corsi posted 21 points, while Luke Mead and Greg Carlyle came off the bench to score 16 and 13, respectively. 

"We're definitely disappointed," continued Roberts. "But our locker room is full of guys with a ton of character, and we'll bounce back." The Trojans now prepare to host the St. Francis Saints on Saturday, Jan. 21, beginning at 3:00 p.m. During the game, the 2006-07 Trinity squad that won the CCAC Tournament will be recognized on the ten-year anniversary of their postseason run.