PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. --- The TIU men's basketball team opened up Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) action on Wednesday night as they visited the Trolls of Trinity Christian College at DeVos Gymnasium. Coming off a difficult overtime loss to Culver-Stockton at home last Saturday, the Trojans looked to begin conference play on a positive note.

TIU would jump out to a quick lead thanks to a pair of three-point baskets by Sterling Brown, but would soon fall behind the Trolls on a night where the Trinity Christian offense dominated shooting from the floor. While holding a commanding advantage on rebounds, the Trojans struggled to find the bottom of the net as TCC built their lead from beyond the three-point line, taking a 53-43 lead into halftime after a high scoring first 20 minutes of play.

Trinity International's offense would continue to struggle into the second half, scoring on just two made three-point shots and shooting 36% from the floor. The Trolls continued their dominance from distance with seven more three-point baskets. TIU would trail by as many as 23 points down the stretch before closing the gap late, dropping their conference opener by a final score of 103-84.

Brandon McQueen led the night for the Trojans with 24 points and seven rebounds, while Leon Williams posted a double-double with 18 points and 13 boards in the loss. Brown finished the evening with 14 points, eight of which came in the second half, as Kyonte Thomas posted a team-high five assists.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• The Trojans fall to 13-21 all-time against Trinity Christian with their loss on Wednesday night.

• TIU is now 1-5 in their last six CCAC opening games. Their last win to open league play came on Nov. 15, 2017 in a 77-69 victory at Calumet St. Joseph.

• Leon Williams' double-double was his second recorded since joining the Trojans last season. His first came on Jan. 30, 2021 in a ten point, 12 rebound performance in a win over Maranatha Baptist (WI).

• Williams' 18 points and 13 rebounds were both season-highs for the senior from Garland, Texas.

• Sterling Brown's four steals against the Trolls were a season-high. The Carmel, Indiana native, who transferred to TIU from Trinity Christian after one season last year, recorded three games of four or more steals from the Trolls in the COVID-19 shortened season of 2020-21.

• The Trojans dominated the glass, out rebounding Trinity Christian 49-38, including 25-9 on offense boards.

• TIU's 24% shooting from beyond the arc was a season-low.

• Freshman Quantary Roberson made his collegiate debut on Wednesday night, scoring two points, while pulling in one rebounds and recording one steal.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (3-2) return to action on Saturday night at they take on the Fighting Saints of St. Francis (IL) in conference play on the road in Joliet. Opening tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm CT at the Sullivan Center, with the game being streamed LIVE on USF SportsNet.
 

Visit TIUtrojans.com to stay up to date with the latest TIU men's basketball news and updates.

Follow the Trojans online and on social media

   Facebook - Trinity International Athletics

   Twitter - @TrinityMBB   @TIUTrojans

   Instagram - TIU Athletics

   Snapchat - @TIUtrojans

   YouTube - TIU Athletics

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.