WINONA LAKE, IN—The long and winding decades-long path of the Trojan men's basketball program faded out following Friday afternoon's contest, but that didn't discourage the current iteration of the team from writing one last beautiful chapter. Trinity, playing their final fixture in the NCCAA National Championships, took down a feisty Ecclesia College team to secure seventh place.

The Royals of Ecclesia struck first, claiming a 5-0 edge, but it didn't take long for the Trojans to assert themselves. For the second straight day, Diamond Presnakovas gave Trinity a jolt of life, pouring in a layup to give the Trojans a 9-7 edge to spark his 11-point first half effort. The following moments were a whirlwind of action with the lead changing hands no less than seven times in the opening frame. Multidimensional talent Xavier Cooper (five points, nine rebounds in the first half) continued his late-season sharpshooting escapades by drilling a three in the waning moments to provide a bit of breathing room in the form of a five-point Trojan edge. When the halftime horn sounded, the Trojans harbored a 39-32 lead.

The Trojans entered the second half laser-focused on maintaining their advantage, swelling the lead to 12 as deadeye Jack Kahoun poured in a long-range missile. The Trojans' lead showed signs of erosion, but a Colby Cross trey exactly halfway through the period reestablished a double-digit Trinity edge. The Royals gnawed away relentlessly, reducing the margin to 69-67 with just over three minutes to play. Kahoun and Cooper responded decisively, protecting the Trojan edge with a pair of free throws and a mid range jumper, respectively. With a six-point advantage providing little comfort, the oft-overlooked Trojan defense stepped up, clamping the Royals and keeping them off the scoresheet for over a hundred seconds as the clock approached zeros. A late three brought the Royals to within four, but a last-second jumper from Presniakovas sealed the deal and delivered a 77-71 Trojan victory in the program's final game.

The Trojans (17-15) concluded their season on a high note and have lots to be proud of in a successful final campaign for the program. In addition to the winning record and national berth, the victory cements Trinity's status as the seventh-place team in the NCCAA. The squad played well against top competition all week long at nationals, further establishing their claim to be recognized among the game's elite, before culminating their closing effort in Friday's riveting triumph. While the results were impressive, the team's success this season transcended their achievements, as they played a thrilling, high-scoring brand of basketball that showcased the unique talents and tendencies of the squad's diverse roster all season long. Among the top contributors Friday were Presniakovas (21 points, nine rebounds), Kahoun (14 points, three 3-pointers), and Cooper, who clinched his second straight double-double with a 10-point, 13-rebound showing.

For years, few events have brought more thrill and passion to Trinity than the men's basketball team electrifying Van Dixhorn Arena with their high-flying acrobatics and flair for the dramatic. While the program will be disbanded and its roster will disperse, the spirit of Trojan basketball—and the memories forged within its boundaries—will live on for years to come.