Brandon Lawani driving net
86
Winner Pikeville PIKEVILL 5-2
76
Trinity International TRINITY 4-4
Winner
Pikeville PIKEVILL
5-2
86
Final
76
Trinity International TRINITY
4-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Pikeville PIKEVILL 35 51 86
Trinity International TRINITY 31 45 76
75
Winner Trinity International TRINITY 5-4
70
CIU CIU 4-4
Winner
Trinity International TRINITY
5-4
75
Final
70
CIU CIU
4-4
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Trinity International TRINITY 42 33 75
CIU CIU 25 45 70

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Ethan Oskroba

Trojans continue forward momentum with tournament split

KINGSPORT, Tenn. —The Trojans' conference run took a brief interlude over the weekend, as the Trojans ventured to Kingsport, Tennessee, for a pair of matchups in the NAIA "The Show" Tournament, earning a split.

Trinity opened the event with a Friday night showdown against the University of Pikeville, and the Trojans showcased their resilience right from the get-go in the tightly contested bout. The Trojans erased sizable deficits twice, vaporizing a nine-point deficit early before inducing déjà vu by nearly doing the same towards the end of the frame, reducing a nine-point trailing margin to just four as the half expired. Dynamic scorer Kyonte Thomas (11 points on 4-for-4 shooting and 2-of-2 from three) carried the load for the Trojans in the opening stanza alongside solid complementary efforts from versatile guard Xavier Cooper (seven points and two each of assists, rebounds, and steals), and sharpshooter Jack Kahoun (six points on two threes).

The Trojans battled to keep pace throughout the second half, seemingly coming up with a clutch bucket every time their rivals seemed poised to pull away. Thomas was again outstanding, putting up 11 points, four dimes, and four boards, but this time his efforts were supported by a different pair, with Monte Lambert and Nabil Kone combining for 18 points and seven rebounds. After trailing by nine well into the second half, the Trojan offense ignited, eventually tying the game via a Thomas free throw, but the Trojans finally fell off the pace in the final moments, eventually losing 86-76.

Perhaps frustrated by the loss to Pikeville, the Trojans returned to the floor nearly 24 hours later with renewed intent for their clash with Columbia International University. After a quiet effort in Friday's battle, Diamond Presniakovas was up to his old tricks once more, leading the way with 10 points in a half that saw the Trojans dominate in all facets of the game. Five different Trojans topped the five-point threshold while Trinity also shined on the defensive end, holding their opponent to 38% shooting while forcing 11 turnovers and outrebounding Columbia 23-17. All told, the Trojans staked themselves to a gargantuan 42-25 edge at the buzzer.

The second half posed a significant challenge as Columbia played with their hair on fire throughout the half, shooting 60% from the field while adding 63% from downtown and 91% from the charity stripe. Nonetheless, the Trojan offense did just enough to keep pace, with Presniakovas dropping another nine while eight Trojans checked into the scoresheet to help Trinity stay with their inspired rivals. In the waning moments, the Trojan lead had shriveled to just three points, but Trinity surgically depleted the clock before a pair of free throws by deadeye Colby Cross sealed the deal on a 75-70 win.

The Trojans (5-4) will continue their conference schedule when they return home to Van Dixhorn Area for a Wednesday night battle with the visiting Tigers of Olivet Nazarene University.
 

TIU Trojans

 

 

TIU Men's Basketball

 

 

 

 

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.
 
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