JOLIET, Ill. --- The TIU men's basketball team returned to action on Saturday night as they visited the University of St. Francis (IL) in a Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) matchup against the Fighting Saints. Coming off a tough loss on Wednesday night at Trinity Christian to open league play, the Trojans looked to bounce back against a USF team that they narrowly edged in last season's CCAC Tournament.

Both teams jumped out to a strong start offensively in the first half of action with Trinity leading for just over half of the first 20 minutes of play. St. Francis would pull ahead and build a healthy lead over the Trojans down the stretch and struggled inside the paint as the Saints took a 48-39 lead into halftime.

The TIU offense would come out strong in the second half shooting just over 50% from the floor with five three-point baskets from beyond the arc. Led by 16 points in the half by Sterling Brown and 11 from Leon Williams, Trinity would pull within two points with 4:17 to go in regulation, but struggled to slow down the Saint offense led by Russell Tillery and Darius Wright. Despite the late surge, the Trojans would be unable to slow USF down the stretch, falling 94-86 on the road.

Brown ended the night with a game-high 25 points, while Kyonte Thomas posted 17 points and team-high five assists in his first collegiate start. Brandon McQueen notched 16 points, with Williams finishing with 15 points and nine rebounds.

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• TIU falls to 7-10 all-time to St. Francis with Saturday night's loss.

• The Trojans have lost their last three games after starting the season 3-0.

• Trinity has scored at least 80 points in all six games they have played this season.

• Sterling Brown recorded his third game of 25 or more points this season.

• Kyonte Thomas posted a career-high 17 points in Saturday's loss.

• Kyonte Thomas and Jaden Thomas both made the first starts of their careers on Saturday.

• TIU committed a season-high 18 turnovers against USF.

• The Trojans outscored the Fighting Saints 32-19 off of turnovers.

• St. Francis outscored Trinity 23-15 on second chance scoring opportunities.

• The Saints out-rebounded TIU 48-32 on Saturday, including 30-17 on defensive boards.

UP NEXT

The Trojans (3-3) return to action next Saturday, November 20 as they host the Lakers of Roosevelt University. Tip-off is scheduled for 3:00pm CT at Van Dixhorn Arena in Deerfield, with the game being broadcast LIVE on the Trojan Sports Network.
 

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.