CHICAGO, Ill. --- The Trinity International University men's basketball team took to the road on Saturday afternoon as they visited the Saint Xavier Cougars in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action. Coming off a seven-point win against the Crimson Wave of Calumet College of St. Joseph two weeks earlier, the Trojans looked to continue their excellent play after a bg conference win.

Facing of against a Cougar team receiving votes for the NAIA Top 25 poll, TIU battled hard early against St. Xavier in search of their fourth win of the season. While TIU turned the ball over eight times, and shot 43% from the field, the Trojans hit five three-point shots from beyond the arc in the first half to cut into the Cougar lead. Off the bench, TIU outscored their opponents 17-2 to trail 46-38 at the halftime break.

The Cougars came out of the halftime break strong, hitting 59% from the field. While TIU rebounded the ball well, the Trojans allowed 28 points off of 17 TIU turnovers en route to a 14-point loss, 95-81.

Ron Pehka led the Trojans with a game-high 25 points, including five baskets from beyond the arc. Johnathan Hiltibran notched 14 points in the loss, while Thadeous Johnson recorded 13 points and nine rebounds, and Brandon McQueen and eight boards.

TIU returns to action on Saturday, December 28 as they take on the seventh-ranked Tigers of Dakota Wesleyan University in their opening game of the Hoops City Classic in Dakota, South Dakota. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 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.