LEAD

DEERFIELD, Ill. -- In their second game in three days, the Sabercats had a slow start and couldn't recover, falling 97-61 at Trinity International.

Taylor Ball registered 16 points and Ethan Cooper put up 10, but Trinity was just too hot to handle.

OVERVIEW

• Result: Maranatha 61-97 Trinity International 
• Venue: Van Dixhorn Arena, Trinity International University
• Location: Deerfield, Ill.
• Attendance: (closed doors)
• Records: MBU (4-3), TIU (3-3)

STORY

Trinity announced their intentions from the get-go, putting up eight unanswered points in the opening minute and a half. The Trojans shot their way to 54 first-half points, going 55 percent from the field and 42 percent from downtown.

At the other end of the floor, the Sabercats struggled to find a rhythm and take care of the ball. Maranatha's 17 turnovers on the night resulted in 20 points off turnovers for Trinity, who were calling the shots even before halftime hit.

The second half was a similar story - Trinity's defense was stifling, and the Sabercats couldn't find more than 27 points in the second half. Ball and Cooper did their share in terms of scoring, but this just wasn't the Sabercats' night.

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Maranatha Starters: 2- T. Ball, 3- Mayhak, 4- Steuerwald, 5- Sanders, 23- Wilkerson // Trinity Starters: 1- McQueen, 20- Jefferson, 23- Presniakovas, 24- Lawani, 34- Williams

STATS

• Ball: 16 PTS, 3 REB
• Cooper: 10 PTS, 5 REB
• MBU: Shot 36.5 percent
• TIU: Shot 51.4 percent
• TIU: Had 20 points off MBU's 17 turnovers
• Rebounding: MBU 28-39 TIU
• Last time: The Trojans took home a 57-43 win in 2017
• Series: Trinity now leads the all-time series 6-0

OPPONENTS

• Trinity International competes in Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference of the NAIA
• Trinity International is currently 0-3 in CCAC play
• Trinity International finished last season with a 6-22 record

NEXT

The Sabercats will travel to Marian University tomorrow for a 6:00 p.m. tip. Find details at mbusabercats.com/schedule.