Box Score DEERFIELD, Ill. - In their first game of the 2017-18 season the TIU Men's Basketball won in convincing fashion, defeating the IU-Kokomo Cougars 108-92 on Friday night.

The Trojans played a solid all around performance in their home opener, shooting 57% from the field, as well as 47% from behind the three-point line. Juniors O'Shae Williams and Greg Carlyle led TIU with standout performances, posting 26 and 24 points each respectively. Sophomore Rick Wright earned his first career start and played strong game in the post for the Trojans. The Zion, Illinois native registered his first career double-double, scoring 11 points while grabbing 10 rebounds.

"Our guards made a lot of plays tonight, and we had spurts where we were really good defensively," said Head Coach Boomer Roberts. "Greg and O'Shae were really aggressive, and Rick showed how much he has improved."

The Trojans jumped out to an early lead in the first half and never looked back, leading the game wire to wire. Williams and Carlyle paced the Trojans in the opening half, with Carlyle going 7-10 from the field while racking up 16 points and two rebounds. 

The second half saw back and forth action up and down the floor, with the Cougars cutting the Trojan lead to just three midway through the half.

"We had too many lapses where we didn't execute on either end, but it's a bit to be expected with so many new guys. Kokomo is going to be a lot better than they were last year, so I'm pretty thankful to be 1-0 and for a great crowd to open the season, our guys really fed off the energy," said Roberts.

Though the Cougars made a run in the second-half, the offensive fire power of the Trojans was too much to handle as 62 points in the half sent the Trojans to a 16-point victory.

The Trojans will be back in action next weekend when they host East-West in the first game of the Trojan Classic on Friday night 11/3.