BANNOCKBURN, Ill.. --- The TIU men's basketball team played their final game of the 2020-21 regular season on Saturday afternoon at Van Dixhorn Arena as they hosted the Crimson Wave of Calumet St. Joseph in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) playing. Coming off a tough overtime loss at Holy Cross (IN) on Wednesday night, the Trojans looked to close the regular season out on a high note as the program honored it's lone senior member in Brandon McQueen on senior day.

TIU started hot out of the gate with an 8-0 run to begin the game. Despite limited depth, the Crimson Wave were not hesitant to shoot the three-point basket, as the Trojan defense all but stopped their attack inside the paint. Through the first 20 minutes McQueen dazzled with a dominating first half, scoring 26 points off of five made three-point shots as Trinity took a 59-44 lead into the locker room.

CCSJ's three-point shooting would cut the Trojan's lead to as few as seven points, but TIU continued their offensive prowess as Brandon Lawani found his shot inside for 16 second half points. Diamond Presniakovas also had a productive second half with ten points. Backed by 54% shooting from the floor and ten made three-pointers, the Trojans offense cruised to the final horn, securing the 97-82 win to close out the regular season.

McQueen ended senior day with an impressive 32 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Lawani notched a 20 point, ten rebound double-double in the win, as Presniakovas scored 15. Jameir Jefferson recorded 13 points, while Leon Williams notched nine.

 

ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES

• TIU improved to 16-11 all-time against Calumet St. Joseph with Saturday's win. The Trojans have now won four straight against the Crimson Wave.

• Saturday's win secured Trinity's first winning season since the 2016-17 season, when the Trojans went 21-11 and earned an at-large bid to the NAIA Tournament.

• TIU's 59 first half points were the most scored in a half in any game this season.

• The Trojans dominated the game inside the paint, outsourcing CCSJ 48-20 inside.

• Calumet St. Joseph's 17 made three-point field goals are the most TIU has allowed in a game since allowing 18 against the Crimson Wave in last season's five overtime battle in Whiting, Indiana.

• Brandon McQueen's 32 points set a new career scoring high, breaking his previous mark of 29 set this season against Trinity Chrisitan and Judson. McQueen also set career-highs in made field goals (12), made three-point field goals (5), and tied his high water mark with two offensive rebounds. 

• Brandon Lawani set a new career-high with nine assists in the win. Lawani fell one assist shy of his first triple-double of the season, but recorded his sixth double-double of the year, third most in the CCAC.

UP NEXT

With the regular season now in the books, the Trojans (9-7) turn their attention to the postseason and the CCAC Men's Basketball Tournament, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, February 23. Due to scheduling complications created by COVID-19, this year's tournament will be seeded using a point-based system rather than traditional standings and will feature all CCAC teams. 

The final tournament seedings and pairings are scheduled to be released by the league on Sunday, February 21.

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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.