LINCOLN, Ill. --- After weeks of delay due to COVID-19 protocols, the TIU men's basketball team opened the 2020-2021 season on Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference road matchup with the Lincoln College Lynx. Under second year head coach Greg Miller, and several new additions to the roster, the Trojans looked to get off to a good start after a difficult 6-23 season a year ago.

Both teams battled out of the gate early before Trinity took the lead with a Johnathan Johansson jumper seven minutes into the game, 15-14. From there, the Trojans never relinquished the lead as they dominated in rebounds, particularly on offense, picking up 17 offensive boards. While the three-point game struggled, TIU made up for it by finishing possessions with easy put backs with 34 points in the paint. At the halftime break, the Trojans jumped out to a nine point lead, 37-28.

Much of the same offensive energy continued for Trinity in the second half, extending their lead to as much as 20 points in the first six minutes. Despite 47% shooting in the first half, the Lynx defense held TIU to just 33% in the second frame, and were able to claw their way back into the game by drawing contact and getting to the free throw line. Lincoln was able to cut the Trojan lead down to four points with 2:33 to go in regulation, but TIU was able to defend the rim well, forcing the Lynx to miss a number of open layups. The Trojans iced the game away in the paint and at the free throw line to win the season opener, 73-68.

Brandon Lawani led the Trojans with a double-double of 17 points,15 rebounds and five blocks. Deandre Raggs also notched a double-double in his TIU debut with 13 points and ten boards, while Brandon McQueen scored 14 points and eight assists, and Johnasson recorded 11 points with three baskets from beyond the arc.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Today's win was Trinity's first against the Lynx, evening the all-time series at one game a piece. Lincoln won the only other meeting of the series last season in Lincoln, 72-71.

• The Trojans and Lynx will meet again in 17 days in Deerfield in conference play on January 16. This is Lincoln's first season in the CCAC after previously competing as an independent program.

• The Trojans are now 7-4 in their last 11 season opening games.

• Lawani set single game career-highs in the win, tying his career-high in rebounds (15), and set a new personal record with five blocks in a single game.

• With five blocks in this game, Brandon Lawani passed Josh Edmon (2004-07) in career blocks for ninth most in program history. Lawani, now with 50 blocks, sits eight behind Teyrck Taylor (2003-04), who is eighth on the list with 58.

• Brandon McQueen set career-highs in the win in assists (8) and free throw attempts (10).

• Lawani and Raggs are the first pair of Trojans to notch a double-double since Thadeous Johnson (2016-20) and Diamond Presniakovas last season in a home loss against East-West. They are also the first pair to record a double-double in a win since Johnson and Brandon McQueen did it last November in a win at Goshen.

• Head coach Greg Miller evened his record in season opening games at 2-2. This includes a 1-1 record while coaching at Cincinnati Christian from 2017-19.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (1-0) will return to action on Monday, January 4 as they return to Lincoln to take on the Lions of Lincoln Christian University. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00pm and can be watched live on the LCU Live Stream.
 

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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.