WINONA LAKE, Ind. --- Trinity International University tipped off their 63rd season of men's basketball on Saturday afternoon as the Trojans took on the Racers of the University of Northwestern Ohio at the Grace Tip-Off Classic in non-conference action. Coming off a 10-8 campaign during the COVID-19 shortened season a year ago, TIU looked to begin the new season on a strong note.

Both teams, playing their first game of the season, would play close in the first half with a heavy attack in the paint. With the three-point game not a huge factor for either team, the Racers pulled ahead by eight points late in the opening half, but quickly saw their lead fall apart thanks to a strong final 90 seconds, where Trinity closed the deficit down to just two points, entering the halftime break trailing 34-32.

Out of the break, the TIU offense came storming out the gate with a 9-0 run in the first 1:47 of the second half, The Trojans would not look back from there as they kept the pressure on UNOH, forcing their opponents into multiple turnovers and forcing fouls to earn trips to the free throw line. Trinity would lead by as many as 15 points, and would close out the afternoon with a 13 point victory, 80-67.

Brandon McQueen led the way for TIU with 20 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. Brandon Lawani would dominate the glass for the Trojans with a team-high eight boards along with 19 points and three blocked shots. Sterling Brown recorded 11 points in his TIU debut, while Leon Williams went four-for-four on the floor, with four made free throws for a nine point game.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Friday's game against Northwestern Ohio was the first all-time meeting between the programs. Trinity now leads the series 1-0.

• TIU is now 4-2 in their last six season-opening games. It is also the second straight season opening win for the Trojans, who defeated Lincoln last December to open the 2020-21 season.

• Head coach Greg Miller improves to 3-2 all-time in season openers, including 2-1 as the head coach at TIU. Miller also went 1-1 in season openers while coaching at Cincinnati Christian (2017-19).

• Brandon McQueen's 20 points are the most scored by a Trojan in a season opener since Ron Pehka dropped 22 against Harris-Stowe State on Oct. 26, 2019.

• Four TIU players made their official debut on Friday. Kyonte Thomas, Jaden Thomas, and Nabil Kone all made their collegiate debuts in Trinity's win. Transfer Sterling Brown made his TIU debut on Friday afternoon, after playing previous seasons at Marian (IN) and Trinity Christian.

• Trinity forced 22 Racer turnovers in Friday's win.

• Drawing 29 fouls against UNOH, the Trojans shot 22-35 from the free throw line, while the Racers shot 13-14.

• Northwestern Ohio's bench outscored TIU 39-15.

• The Trojans outscored the Racers 39-15 in fast break points in their win.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (1-0) will return to the floor tomorrow morning as they take on the Cardinals of Concordia-Ann Arbor in Winona Lake. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:00am ET and can be watched LIVE on the Grace College Livestream.

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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.