BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- After falling at home on Saturday afternoon to Lincoln in conference play, the TIU men's basketball team welcomed the NCAA Division III Sabercats of Maranatha Baptist to Van Dixhorn Arena on Monday night. Having dropped three straight games, the Trojans looked to right the ship before continuing league play.

Trinity's offense came storming out of the gate with an 8-0 in the first 86 seconds of play. The Sabercats would pull within three points as the first half reached its midway points, but the Trojans dominated from there on out, forcing 17 total MBU turnovers, and notching ten steals on defense. 

Both teams took their chances from beyond the arc with each team attempting over 30 shots, with the Trojans shooting 12-34 from three-point range. TIU also controlled the rebounding battle, holding MBU to 28 boards through the entire game. With 44 points in the paint and solid control over the game, the Trojans were able to get minutes for their reserves, including Aaron Cufr, who drained his first career three-point shot, and freshman Christian Krahenbuhl, who saw quality minutes down the stretch as the Trojans rolled to a 97-61 win to even their record at .500.  

Diamond Presniakovas led TIU with 23 points with only two missed shots on the night. Brandon Lawani scored 19, while Brandon McQueen notched 17 points. Leon Williams led the game with 16 rebounds, plus nine points. Jonathan Johansson scored 14 on a 4-9 night from beyond the arc, with Jack Kahoun scoring ten.
 

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• TIU takes a 3-0 series lead all-time against Maranatha Baptist after tonight's win.

• The Trojan's 54 points are the most scored in the first half this season. 

• Trinity's 36 point win is their largest margin of victory since defeating Calumet College of St. Joseph by 41 points, 86-45 on Jan. 26, 2019. It is also their largest win over a non-conference opponent since beating Emmaus (IA) by a score of 90-48 on Nov. 9, 2018.

• TIU's 3-3 start is their best record through six games since starting 5-1 during the 2018-19 season.

• Aaron Cufr (3 points), Jack Kahoun (10 points) and Johnathan Johansson (14 points) all set career-highs in scoring in the win.

• Diamond Presniakovas' 23 points are a season-high.

• Leon Williams' 16 rebounds are a season-high, and are tied for the fourth most in his collegiate career, which dates back to playing with Wilbur Wright College last season.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (3-3) will return to action on Wednesday night, January 20 as they travel to Milwaukee to take on the Cardinal Stritch Wolves at CSU Fieldhouse. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm CT and can be watched LIVE on the Wolves Sports Network.

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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.