Cooper three-pointer
Berith Han
89
Winner Trinity International TRINITY 12-8, 7-5
86
Governors State GOVERNOR 5-17, 5-9
Winner
Trinity International TRINITY
12-8, 7-5
89
Final
86
Governors State GOVERNOR
5-17, 5-9
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Trinity International TRINITY 45 44 89
Governors State GOVERNOR 45 41 86

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Cooper grabs double-double in explosive Trojan victory over the Jaguars

UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. —  Last night the Trojans traveled to Governors State University for their latest CCAC contest against the Jaguars. After a deadlocked first half, the Trojans emerged victorious by a three point margin, 89-86.

A back and forth match from the tip, the lead changed four times in the first half before concluding 45-45 before the break. Two minutes into the half, the Jaguars mounted a growing attack, jumping ahead eight points before the Trojans began to slowly dismantle the lead. With ten minutes remaining, sophomore Jaden Thomas lifted a layup to tie the score at 22 then take the lead following a three-pointer from Monte Lambert. Over the next three minutes the Trojan offense continued to click as they surged ahead to a 13-point lead with a 10-2 run. Breaking up the run with a trey of their own, the Jaguars then caught momentum to jockey with the Trojans for the lead. In the final two minutes,  the score equalized at 41-, 43- and 45- as neither team refused to give the other an inch. At the break, the game was tied 45-45.

A stellar first half for the Trojans resulted in a  60.6% shooting percentage and a solid performance under the boards with 17 rebounds. Diamond Presniakovas hit double-digits with ten points in the frame while Xavier Cooper dished out six dimes.

Early in the second half the Trojans soared ahead 58-48 as their offense kept in step with their first half production. With 12:31 remaining, Governors State climbed their way back to tie the score again and continue the tug of war for victory. In the final ten minutes, neither side held more than a three-point margin as the lead changed hands on seven occasions. Keeping in tune with their high-speed offense, the Trojans outscored the Jaguars 7-1 in the last two minutes. A pair of free throws from senior Jack Kahoun sealed victory for the Tojans with less than ten seconds until the buzzer.

Leading the explosive Trojan offense last night was Diamond Presniakovas with 22 points in his second highest scoring game of the season as he dropped 10-15 field goals for a new personal best in that category as well. Sophomore Kyone Thomas bagged 18 points and eight assists and Xavier Cooper had a stellar performance with a double-double of 17 rebounds and ten assists. Sophomore guard Kyonte Thomas tied his career best seven field goals, while senior Monte Lambert went 2-3 from the arc with five field goals made - all season highs for the guard.

Trinity (12-8) will host the Fighting Saints of the University of St. Francis in their next CCAC clash on Saturday afternoon. Tip off is scheduled for 3:00pm.
 
 

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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