WHITING, Ind. --- The Trinity International University men's basketball team wrapped up the 2019-2020 season on Saturday afternoon as they battled the Crimson Wave of Calumet College of St. Joseph in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play. Not being eligible for the CCAC postseason tournament, the Trojans looked to close the year on a high note with a much needed win.

TIU began the game in a tug-of-war fight with CCSJ trying to position for the lead. The Trojans would pull ahead by as many as 12 points late in the first half with Nate Schmidt knocking down five baskets from beyond the arc for 15 first half points. TIU also set an early precedent for good rebounding and ball protection as they went into the halftime break with a 42-35 lead.

In the second half, Trinity struggled to defend the three-point arc as the Crimson Wave shot 7-for-17 from downtown as CCSJ began to climb back into the game. While Thadeous Johnson helped pace the Trojan offense inside, TIU wasn't able to match their output in the first 20 minutes of play while CCSJ roared back to force overtime, tying the game at 74.

TIU and CCSJ would then begin a record setting stretch of play in overtime with both teams pushing one another to the brink. The Crimson Wave would force a second overtime after a pair of game-tying free throws by Kennan Bellaphant with the score knotted up at 80 with TIU leading by two. 

In the final second of the second overtime, Trevor Guerra forced a third extra period, tying the game at 85 with a critical game-saving layup. CCSJ extended the game once again with a game-tying Core'Von Lott jumper to knot the action up at 94.

After Diamond Presniakovas' game-tying three with 24 seconds to go in the fourth overtime, the Trojans forced the game to a record fifth extra frame. By protecting the ball and securing crucial defensive rebounds off missed Wave shots, TIU was able to outscore CCSJ 14-9 and end the season with a thrilling 114-108 victory, sweeping the regular season series over the Crimson Wave.

Schmidt recorded a team and career-high 27 points in the win, ending the night with eight three-point baskets made. Jeremy Bonifacio dominated the rebounding game as he notched career-highs in scoring with 23 points, and in rebounding with 23, as well as nine assists. Johnson scored 20 points and eight boards, while Guerra recorded his first double-double of the season with 11 points and ten rebounds.

In the hard fought victory, Trinity made national history, tying or breaking three NAIA Division II men's basketball records. The five overtime battle tied the national record for most overtime periods in a single game, matching the five overtime game between Kansas Wesleyan and Ottawa (KS) in January 2006. TIU's 39 total points over the five overtime periods broke the national record previously held by Lynn University (FL) of 28 points in February of 1994. The Trojans and Crimson Wave also combined for a record 73 points in overtime, breaking the previous record held by Midland Lutheran College (NE) and Doane University (NE) from their February 8, 1995 meeting.

TIU ends the season with a 6-23 record overall, and 5-17 in CCAC play.

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.