BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The Trinity International University men's basketball team took on the Governors State Jaguars on Saturday afternoon at Van Dixhorn Arena in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action. Riding a five-game losing streak, and having lost the first matchup of the season to GSU back in November, TIU was eager to get back to their winning ways.

The Trojans put together a solid first half of play behind Diamond Presniakovas inside and Ron Pehka from range. Off the bench, Steven Jenkins provided an additional spark for TIU with his ability to draw fouls and get to the free throw line. However, the Jaguars were able to get a number of second chance scoring opportunities by controlling the offensive rebounds and by continually moving the ball. With both teams shooting the ball well, GSU took the slight three-point lead into the locker room, 43-40.

In the second half, the Jaguars took control of the game with a lights out shooting performance, hitting 67% of their shots from the field, including eight three-point shots from distance. TIU continued to work inside with Presniakovas and Thadeous Johnson, but unable to match GSU's high-shooting offense. GSU would stretch the lead to as much as 23-points as TIU dropped the game by a score of 100-79.

Presniakovas surpassed his career-high in scoring from his previous game against Olivet Nazarene with a 25-point game against the Jaguars, as well as eight rebounds and four assists. Pehka notched 19 points, four boards, and six assists in the loss, while Johnson notched 12 points and seven rebounds. Off the bench, Jenkins recorded his career-high with 11 points, five of which came at the free throw line.

The Trojans return to action on Wednesday, January 15 as they travel to Gary, Indiana to take on the Indiana Northwest Redhawks in CCAC play. IUNW defeated TIU in their conference opener on November 13 in Van Dixhorn Arena by a score of 100-86. Opening tip is scheduled for 7:30PM.

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.