UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. --- The TIU men's basketball team played their third game of the week on Saturday afternoon as they visited the Jaguars of Governors State University in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) play. Trinity entered the game coming off a ten point loss at Olivet Nazarene, 93-83 on Wednesday night and in search of their first win in conference play.

The Jaguars started hot out of the gate with more than half of their shots finding the bottom of the net in the first half, with four baskets from beyond the arc. TIU struggled to shoot the ball to begin the game shooting under 40% and making only one three-point shot in the first 20 minutes. Trinity was able to keep the game within only a few possessions with eight made free throws in the half to trail 38-31 at the break.

In the second half, the Trojans found momentum capitalizing off GSU turnovers and bench play from Johnathan Johansson and Leon Williams. Brandon McQueen and Brandon Lawani thrived from the paint and from mid-range to cut the game down to a single possession and briefly take the lead at 46-45. From there, the game became a back and forth struggle as both teams drew contact, forcing the other into the double bonus and to the free throw line. Despite 21 Jaguar turnovers and 17 points off turnovers, the Trojans were unable to close the gap down the stretch, dropping their second straight conference game, 76-67.

McQueen led the game with 26 points with four made three-point shots, along with five rebounds, six assists and three steals. Lawani notched 15 points, six rebounds and a pair of blocks in the loss, while Diamond Presniakovas posted eight points and Johansson scored seven points off the bench.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• TIU falls to 1-5 all-time against GSU with today's loss. The Trojans last win against Governors State came on Dec. 17, 2016, which saw Trinity win in University Park by a score of 81-80.

• Brandon McQueen set a new season-high in scoring in the loss. Through four games, he is averaging 19.2 points per game.

• Both teams committed 21 personal fouls each in the game. At the free throw line, TIU was successful on 18 of 22 attempts, while the Jaguars were 11 of 18.

• Trinity shot 37.3% from the field in the loss, a season-low. 

• Brandon Lawani's two blocks raise his career total to 54, ninth most in program history. He is four blocks away from tying Teryck Taylor (2003-2004) for eighth all-time with 58 blocks.

• Lawani's 15 points mark the fourth straight game scoring in double-digit figures, and fifth consecutive game doing so dating back to last season.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (2-2) will return to action next Saturday, January 13 as they host the Lynx of Lincoln College at Van Dixhorn Arena in their home opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00pm 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.