BANNOCKBURN, IL— The Trojan offense caught fire down the stretch in Saturday afternoon's conference tilt against the Judson Eagles, drowning an early double-digit deficit in a season-high 102-point onslaught to improve to 5-1 when defending their home territory at Van Dixhorn Arena.
 
The Trojans started off slow against an inspired Eagle squad, as the visitors pushed their advantage to a high watermark of 11 points less than eight minutes into the opening stanza. The Trojans began to chew away at the deficit as the half wore on, with versatile guard Xavier Cooper spearheading the Trinity attack with an assist, a triple, and a layup on successive possessions to whittle the Judson edge down to just four points. The Trojans continued to chip away, with multi-talented guard Jack Kahoun eventually nullifying the lead altogether, capping his inspired first half performance with a game-tying bucket with just under seven minutes to the halftime break. The Trojans didn't stop there, however, with Trinity's post technician Brandon Lawani showcasing his ability to score from multiple levels by splashing home a triple that would put the Trojans ahead for good. Judson continued to scrap as the half wound down, but the Trojans defended their lead, a task in which they succeeded as the fast-paced, riveting opening period concluded with the Trojans ahead, 49-46.
 
The initial minutes of the second half not only saw the free-flowing thrills of the first half continue, but they actually saw the game continue to accelerate to a breakneck pace as the rival squads raced up and down the floor at a pace usually reserved for volleyball or tennis. Diamond Presniakovas strode into the limelight, offsetting a series of Judson baskets and once again proving his nature as one of the most incendiary scorers the conference has to offer with a quick eight points in just over three minutes of play. The Trojans continued to forge onward as the half wore on, with their efforts finally beginning to yield noticeable progress as sniper Jaden Thomas connected on a three to push the Trojan lead to two possessions. Trinity eventually ballooned their edge to 13 amid a thrilling stretch that saw Thomas provide one of the most memorable plays of the season, hoisting a no-look, over-the-head pass with his back to a basket some twenty feet away that led to an easy Asher Blum bucket. The Eagles refused to go quietly, reducing the Trinity lead to just four, but Cooper had one more spurt in him to close out his terrific night, drilling a three and notching a layup in a thirty second span that put Judson away for good. The Trojan offense continued to romp its way to the finish line, shooting 64% for the half as they moved into triple figures and salted away a decisive 102-86 victory.
 
All told, Saturday's contest was a notable offensive effort, even for Coach Greg Miller's fast-paced, firepower-laden squad. The Trojans eclipsed the century mark for the first time all season, besting their previous high of 99 points scored against Trinity Christian all the way back on November 9. Xavier Cooper led the way for the Trojans, coming off the bench to flirt with a triple-double en route to a 19-point, nine rebound, eight assist effort. Kahoun (18 points), Lawani (15), Presniakovas (12), and Jaden Thomas (12) also finished in double figures, and Trinity's leading scorer, Kyonte Thomas, relished his role as a facilitator on Saturday, doling out 12 dimes.
 
The Trojans (9-7, 5-4 CCAC) will seek to carry the momentum they picked up Saturday into another conference clash when they battle St. Francis on Monday, January 16, in Joliet, Illinois.