WATERTOWN, Wisc.. --- After holding off Trinity Christian on Wednesday night at home, the TIU men's basketball team hit the road on Saturday afternoon as they faced the NCAA Division III Maranatha Baptist Sabercats in Wisconsin in non-conference play. Just 12 days after meeting in Deerfield, the Trojans looked to sweep both meetings and secure back-to-back wins for the third time this season.

With limited depth, the Trojans struggled to defend the three-point line as the Sabercats opened the game in a fast-paced offense attack. Both teams would exchange the lead nine times during the afternoon in a back-and-forth battle that looked much different from their January 18 meeting at Van Dixhorn Arena. After trailing much of the mid-first half, Trinity re-took the lead at the five minute mark with a Diamond Presniakovas layup, and would stretch that lead to nine in the final seconds of the period on a Johnathan Johansson three to give TIU a 47-38 halftime lead.

MBU came out of the break swinging, briefly taking the lead early in the second half. However, Trinity's offense quickly responded thanks to ten Sabercat turnovers and three Brandon McQueen steals. As both teams wrestled for control of the game late, Johansson hit his fourth three-point shot of the game with just over five minutes to go. While MBU fought to keep the game within one possession, the Trojans dominated the glass offensively, limiting the Sabercats to fewer offensive opportunities and allowing TIU to run out the clock and seal the 78-73 victory.

Johansson led Trinity with 24 points in the win, while Diamond Presniakovas posted 22 points and eight rebounds. Brandon McQueen recorded a double-double of 11 points and ten rebounds, as did Leon Williams with ten points and 12 boards.
 

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• After today's win, the Trojans move to 4-0 all-time against Maranatha Baptist. TIU is also 2-0 against the Sabercats this season.

• Trinity International matches their win total from a season ago with today's victory. TIU finished the 2019-20 season with a 6-23 record.

• Jonathan Johansson set a new career scoring-high in today's win with 24 points. His previous high water mark was 20 against Saint Ambrose last week.

• Brandon McQueen and Leon Williams' performances mark the first time this season the Trojans have had a pair of teammates notch double-doubles.

• McQueen's ten total rebounds and eight defensive boards are both career-highs.

• Diamond Presniakovas set new career records in field goals made (10), field goals attempted (20) and rebounds (8). 

• Head coach Greg Miller picks up the 40th win of his NAIA coaching career in his 100th career game. Miller coached 62 games at Cincinnati Christian from 2017-19.
   

UP NEXT

The Trojans (6-4) return to conference on Wednesday night, February 3 as they host the Eagles of Judson University. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm CT and can be watched LIVE on the Trojan 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.