BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- The TIU men's basketball team welcomed the Wildcats of Culver-Stockton College to Van Dixhorn Arena on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action as part of the 2021 Trojan Basketball Classic. Coming off an intense one point victory over Lincoln Christian on Friday night, the Trojans looked to extend their hot start to the season and improve to 4-0 for the first time in nearly two decades.

Using an early bombardment of three-point shots, the Trojans looked to keep pace with the quick speed of Culver-Stockton, who jumped out to a healthy lead that was held for the majority of the first half of play. Trinity would struggle to pull down key rebounds throughout the afternoon, giving the Wildcats several second chance scoring opportunities. After closing the first half with consecutive three-point baskets by Jack Kahoun and Jaden Thomas, the Trojans went into the halftime break trailing 48-42.

TIU came out of the gate strong in the second half, quickly erasing their deficit and pulling ahead by as many as 13 points midway through the period. While able to pull ahead, Trinity continued to struggle in collecting key rebounds after missed shots, giving Culver-Stockton an opening to come back from double-digits. TIU also struggled to capitalize on crucial takeaway opportunities to seal victory. 

Trailing by two points with 35 seconds to go, Diamond Presniakovas tied the game at 81 all, sending the game into overtime. Trinity would take a small lead early into the overtime period, but would struggle to stay out of foul trouble, giving the Wildcats the chance to climb back into the game at the free throw line, and ultimately hand the Trojans the 99-93 loss.

Sterling Brown ended the day with a game-high 27 points for the blue and white, while Brandon McQueen posted a double-double with 18 points and ten assists in the loss. Presniakovas notched 17 points, as Kahoun scored 14 points off of four made three-point baskets. Leon Williams led the way with a team-high nine rebounds, as well as two blocks. 

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• Saturday was the first all-time meeting between Trinity International and Culver-Stockton on the basketball court.

• Despite losing their first game of the season on Saturday, the Trojans are off to their best four-game start since the 2018-19 season. That year, Trinity finished the year 15-15. The season prior, the Trojans also started 3-1, and advanced all the way to the NAIA Tournament with a 21-11 record.

• The Wildcats dominated the battle for offensive rebounds, out rebounding TIU 20-9 off of their own missed shots.

• Using their size advantage, Culver-Stockton outscored Trinity 54-26 on Saturday.

• Aided by 17 TIU turnovers, the Wildcats outscored the Trojans 28-16 in points off of turnovers.

• Sterling Brown's 27 points against Culver-Stockton are the most he has scored with the Trojans this season. It is also the second most he has scored since setting his career high-water mark last season playing at Trinity Christian College, when he scored 35 points against IU-Northwest on Nov. 19, 2020.

• Saturday marked the third time that Jack Kahoun made at least four three-point baskets in a game. The Oswego, Illinois native did so twice last year during his freshman season, 

UP NEXT

The Trojans (3-1) return to action on Tuesday, November 10 as they open Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) at Trinity Christian. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm at DeVos Gymnasium in Palos Heights, with the game being streamed LIVE on the Trolls 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.