BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The Trinity International University men's basketball team took on the Robert Morris University Eagles on Tuesday night in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action. In their final game prior to the Thanksgiving break, the Trojans looked to pick up an important conference win ahead of the holiday.

After a hotly contested first ten minutes of play, the Eagles pulled ahead on a 51% shooting half, including a pair of baskets from downtown. The Trojans struggled to find the bottom of the net, only scoring on 15 field goals. Despite the tough shooting, six of TIU's baskets were from beyond the arc, holding the Trojans within reach at the halftime break, trailing 42-31.

TIU's rebounding game improved in the second half, as did their shooting. By defending the three-point line and limiting the Eagles to just five baskets from downtown in the second half, the Trojans were able to get more scoring opportunities. Nate Schmidt and Ron Pehka each hit a pair of three-point buckets, while Micah James and Thadeous Johnson also hit baskets from beyond the arc to chip away at the RMU lead. While TIU was able to outscore their opponent by five points in the half, the Eagles were able to capitalize at the free throw line as Robert Morris survived the late push from TIU, 86-80.

All five Trojan starters notched double-digit points in the loss, led by Schmidt and Brandon McQueen with 15 points each. Pehka recorded 14, while James notched 12, and Johnson scored 10 points, along with a team-high nine rebounds.

TIU returns to action on Monday, December 2 as they visit the Holy Cross Saints in Notre Dame, Indiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.

Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness and lifelong learning.