JOLIET, Ill. --- The Trinity International University men's basketball team took on the Fighting Saints of St. Francis on Saturday afternoon at the Sullivan Center in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action. Coming off a tough loss to the St. Xavier Cougars at home on Wednesday night, TIU was eager to get back to their winning ways.

TIU set a good pace early on with Diamond Presniakovas and Nate Schmidt from inside and mid-range, keeping the Trojans up to speed with the Saints for much of the period. However the Trojans would struggle to force takeaways as the Saints put together a 50% shooting half from the floor. USF also dominated from the three-point arc, knocking down ten baskets from downtown in the opening frame, opening up a 39-13 run in the final 11 minutes of the half to take a 57-28 lead over the Trojans at the break.

In the second half, Johnathan Johnsson put together a career performance, leading TIU in scoring in the period. Despite his solid shooting, and a strong inside precise where the Trojans outscored their opponents 26-18 in the second, the Saints shooting remained hot as they knocked down 11 more three-point baskets for 58% shooting performance. USF found much of their success on their 26 assists, doubling TIU's 13 as the Trojans struggled to find the net throughout the afternoon as they fell to the Saints 118-78.

Presniakovas led TIU with 16 points and five rebounds, while Johansson's career-high 13 points on three-of-six day from beyond the arc. Jeremy Bonifacio notched ten points and seven boards, while Thadeous Johnson led the Trojans with a team-high eight rebounds, as well as six points.

The Trojans return to action on Monday, February 17 as they visit the Lakers of Holy Family College in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. 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.