BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The Trinity International University men's basketball team took on the Trinity Christian College Trolls on Wednesday night in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action. After dropping their last game to St. Ambrose at home last Saturday, the Trojans looked to pick up a much needed win against the conference rival.

TCC dominated the game from distance, particularly from the three-point arc, hitting 18 of 33 shots from downtown. The Trojans were able to fight their way inside through the paint game of Diamond Presniakovas and keep the first half close, however, the Trolls ended the opening frame on a 10-2 run to take a 46-37 lead.

The Trolls speed and ability to find wide open looks were a major key to their game plan, dishing out 29 assists to TIU's 25. TIU's long range game struggled greatly in the first half, but found some life in the second as Thadeous Johnson and Nate Schmidt each knocked down three baskets each. Despite forcing 11 Troll turnovers and slowing down their opponent in the later portion of play, it was not enough to stop the high-shooting percentage of TCC, as the Trojans fell to the Trolls by a score of 92-84.

Presniakovas notched his career-high in scoring for the third time this season ending the night with a game-high 31 points, plus eight rebounds. Johnson recorded 14 points and five boards in the loss, while Ron Pehka scored 13 points and four assists. 

The Trojans return to action on Saturday, February 1 as they travel to take on the Indiana University-South Bend Titans in Indiana. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00PM.

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.