DEERFIELD, Ill. - 17th-ranked Trinity International looked in control from start to finish, as the Trojans claimed their 13th victory in the last 14 games with a 77-67 win over the St. Xavier Cougars during White Out Night inside Van Dixhorn Arena on Wednesday.
Box Score | Season Stats
Senior forward
Zach Kirschbaum led the way, scoring a game-high 24 points with 11 rebounds, earning his NAIA-leading 17th double-double of hte year. Three Trojans finished in double figures, with
Grant Corsi posting 22 points and
Jeremy Carlyle scoring 11.
"I'm very proud of my guys for the way they executed the game plan tonight," said TIU head coach
Boomer Roberts. "They players earned this win. They focused only on this game, this moment, and their preparation paid off."
Kirschbaum was dominant early, recording six points and four boards before coming off the floor for the first time at the 14:58 mark. St. Xavier (10-13, 7-8 CCAC) rallied back, tying the game at 28-28 with 2:42 left in the first half, but the Trojans (19-4, 12-1 CCAC) would score eight unanswered to close out the half, taking a 36-28 advantage at the break.
A quick 8-0 run highlighted by back-to-back threes from Corsi and
Sean Smith extended the TIU lead to 48-36 with 15:11 to play in the second half. The Trojans would take their largest lead of the game on Corsi's layup at the 9:44 mark, 60-44, but again St. Xavier would slowly work their way back. A Jack Brody jumper made it a two-point game, 68-66 with 3:23 remaining, but the third three-pointer of the night from Corsi on the Trojans' next possession would ice the game.
"Zach dominated the paint, and Grant played really well within himself, attacking and making winning plays," said Roberts. "Henry [French] proved once again why he is one of the best players in our league, and for my money, the best defender in the CCAC. He impacts the game in every facet, and holding [Quinn] Niego to 4-of-15 shooting is as good as it gets defensively."
The Trojans now prepare for Saturday's road trip to Indiana-South Bend, where the team can secure their 20th victory of the season before reaching the month of February. Tipoff against the Titans from South Bend is set for 2:00 p.m. Central/3:00 p.m. Eastern.
