2022-23 Seniors on Senior Dya
Berith Han
87
Winner Holy Cross HCC 14-14, 9-11
78
Trinity International TRINITY 15-13, 10-10
Winner
Holy Cross HCC
14-14, 9-11
87
Final
78
Trinity International TRINITY
15-13, 10-10
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Holy Cross HCC 28 59 87
Trinity International TRINITY 33 45 78

Game Recap: Men's Basketball |

Thomas breaks record as Trojans honor six in senior day defeat

DEERFIELD, Ill. —  On Saturday afternoon the Trojans played their last regular season home game against the Saints of Holy Cross College. Despite a slight advantage at the half, the Trojans were outshot in the second half and fell to defeat 78-87.

Before the tip-off, the Trojans took a few moments to recognize six of their graduating seniors: Asher Blum, Colby Cross, Aaron Cufr, Monte Lambert, Brandon Lawani, and Diamond Presniakovas. As the men were escorted to half court by loved ones they were presented with framed posters of themselves on the court this season. The six seniors represented four different states between Illinois and New York and a myriad of accomplishments both on and off the court, as all-conference players and scholar-athletes.

In the initial five minutes, the lead changed hands three times as the Trojans battled the Saints for breathing room on top. Following a free throw from Kyonte Thomas, TIU took a four point lead that they held for two minutes as each team experienced a brief lapse in accuracy, each missing three shots at the basket. With ten minutes remaining, the Saints knotted the score at 15-15 and again at 18-18 as the sides jockeyed for position. Brandon Lawani broke the tie with an assist from Thomas, his third of the game en route to a new school record. Xavier Cooper landed a trey, assisted  with 3:30 to go and started the Trojans on a short run of seven points. Sandwiched by a pair of Saints free throws, Diamond Presniakovas sank another 3-pointer as the half expired with the Trojans leading 33-28.

Opening the second break with a bang, Colby Cross landed another shot from the perimeter to give the Trojans their largest lead of the afternoon. Four minutes later the Saints equalized yet again, then grabbed the lead with a short run of six points. The Trojans struck back with 11 minutes left as a trey from Jack Kahoun evened the score once more at 51-51. Holy Cross broke ranks first and never looked back. For the remaining ten minutes TIU continued their high-powered offense, converting four buckets from beyond the arc, but the Saints hit a 2-10 run to give the final stretch the Trojans would be unable to overcome. Thomas grabbed the final points with 12 seconds remaining to keep the defeat to single digits.

Diamond Presniakovas lit up the court on his senior day, dropping 24 points for his second-highest scoring game of the season. Xavier Cooper added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists. Sophomore Kyonte Thomas assembled the second double-double of his career, putting up 12 points and a new TIU single game record with 15 assists.

Trinity is currently ranked fourth in the nation as they average 10.5 steals per game.

TIU finishes the regular season with an overall record of 15-13 and 10-10 in conference. They will compete in the NCCAA North Central Region Tournament, hosting the Trojans of Hannibal-LaGrange on Thursday evening at 5:30pm in Van Dixhorn Arena.
 
 

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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