BANNOCKBURN, Ill. --- Yesterday Trinity was back on their home court for a midday match-up against the Fighting Bees of Saint Ambrose University. Five Trojans contributed double-digit points to the 97-89 victory over the Bees but one was noted above the others as senior Diamond Presniakovas dropped his 1,000 career point.

Seeking redemption from their last outing, the Trojans started off red hot as Xavier Cooper sank a three-pointer less than 10 seconds after the tip. Trinity burst ahead 10-4 after two minutes, with another trey from Jack Kahoun and a pair of layups from Brandon Lawani. The Trojans began dropping triples left and right as they soared ahead by as many as 16 points in the opening frame. Collectively landing 8 of 15 treys, TIU shot 53% from the arc and 62% from the field as their offense caught fire. Lawani led the Trojans in the first by a wide margin with 14 points and seven rebounds, nearly a double-double in the first half alone.

From the half time break, the Fighting Bees began to show their namesake as they gave a quick burst from the outset with seven points in the initial ninety seconds. Moving towards a career milestone, Presniakovas sank a free throw and the following layup after stealing possession back, growing the Trojans lead to 55-41. In the midgame, the Bees started pushing again and cut the margin to single digits at 12:44. Trading buckets, the two sides continued to battle as Saint Ambrose drew the score as close as four points before the Trojans offense lit up again, sparked by freshman Stratton Lovvorn as he sank a triple from far out. With five minutes remaining, Presniakovas pulled up for the jump shot and crossed the 1,000 point threshold. In their final surge of the game, the Fighting Bees scored four consecutive layups with two minutes left but the Trojans held firm to seal the victory, 97-89.

In their latest CCAC victory, five Trojans scored double-digit points: Kyonte Thomas (18), Brandon Lawani (18), Diamond Presniakovas (17), Jack Kahoun (11) and Jaden Thomas (10). Lawani also grabbed 11 rebounds to earn his first double-double of the campaign. Kyonte Thomas shot 13-14 at the charity line and was perfect from the arc in one of his best performances of the season so far.

As a team, TIU showed some of their best sharp shooting of the season as they put up 56% from the field, over 47% from the arc and 83% from the free throw line.

The Trojans enter the holiday break with an even record overall and in conference (6-6, 3-3) and will return to play again on Friday, December 30th with a home game against the Maple Leafs of Goshen College. Tip-off is set for 5:00pm at Van Dixhorn Arena.
 

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TIU Trojans     TIU Men's Basketball

 

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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.