Kyonte Thomas Layup
69
Trinity International TIU
91
Winner Fort Lauderdale FTLU
Trinity International TIU
69
Final
91
Fort Lauderdale FTLU
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Trinity International TIU 30 39 69
Fort Lauderdale FTLU 36 55 91

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Ethan Oskroba

Trojans come up short in national opener

WINONA LAKE, IN—The Trojans were competitive throughout Wednesday's NCCAA National Championship opener, but a late run from the victorious University of Fort Lauderdale Eagles was enough to terminate the Trojans' hopes at nationwide glory.

The Trojans established an immediate advantage out of the gates, as Jack Kahoun rained down a triple before feeding star big Brandon Lawani for a layup that pushed the margin to 13-8. Trinity's lead dissolved rapidly, but they managed to reel in the Eagles late in the period. After falling behind by double digits, a late frenzy capped by Kahoun's third triple of the frame set the halftime score at 36-30 in favor of the Eagles. Kahoun's 11 points led the way for the Trojans, who also got a solid effort from their dynamic sophomore guard Kyonte Thomas, who compiled five points, six boards, and a pair of helpers in the half.

Trinity chewed the Eagles' edge down to five on the merits of a three by their two-way playmaking stud Xavier Cooper, but a scintillating scoring spree from the Eagles stretched their advantage to 13. The resilient Trojans again thwarted the runaway bid, with Thomas sinking a tough transition layup and Kahoun drilling his fourth three of the contest off the break before Trinity lead scorer Diamond Presniakovas dropped a bucket to trim the margin to 50-44 with over 13 minutes to go. That was as close as the Trojans would get however, as the Eagles turned invincible for the next four minutes, uncorking a stunning 19-0 run. While Trinity never recovered, they did finish out the contest with pride, going basket for basket with the Eagles down the stretch before conceding a 91-69 defeat.

The Trojans (16-14) enjoyed a series of strong performances despite the defeat, with seven players cashing in on at least two field goals. The top efforts were posted by Kahoun (20 points, five assists), Thomas (nine points, six rebounds, five assists), Cooper (nine points, five rebounds, four assists), and center Asher Blum (11 points).

The loss to the Eagles was enough to dash the Trojans' national title hopes, but they'll seek to regroup for a pivotal clash with Asbury University on Thursday at noon. Trinity can still claim a top-five spot with two consecutive wins, an endeavor that will become the new focus of Trojan Head Coach Greg Miller and his squad.
 
 

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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