ANCHORAGE, AK-  The Trinity International University Trojan's Men's Basketball team finished their road trip and last game of 2009 up in Anchorage Alaska by losing to the University of Alaska Anchorage Seawolves 71-89 on New Year's Eve.


Alaska's motto is "north to the future" and the Trojans (2-15) looked to redeem their future at Wells Fargo Sports Complex after their 30 point defeat 57-87 to the Seawolves (9-2) the previous night.  However, this would not be the case for the Trojans losing their second game of the Alaskan road trip 71-89.

The Trojans battled the Seawolves well, keeping them on a close leash during the first half.  Ignas Verbus (JR, Vilnius, Lithuania) and Tyrone Smith (JR, Detroit, MI) lead the Trojans both scoring 21 points and bringing down 5 rebounds.  Their efforts of big, penetrating, 3-point plays and field goals kept the Trojans close ending the first half down by five, 34-39.

The Trojans would begin the second half on a mission to win the game.  Smith and Verbus would both score on huge plays giving the Trojans the lead 42-39 in the 18th minute.  Patrick Atkins (JR, Chicago, IL), Carson Chapman (SO, Lorba Yinda, CA), and Danny Kirst (SR, Galena, IL) would assist in gaining this lead, but would not be enough to pull off a victory over the Seawolves.

With 14 minutes remaining in the game the Seawolves took the lead 49-50 and would never let the Trojans contest them again.  Nick Pacitti (JR, Los Angelos, CA), Casey Robinson (JR, Manila, UT), Brandon Walker (JR, Haywood, CA), Malcom Campbell (SO, Los Angelos, CA), and Kevin White (JR, Manly Australia) all scored in double digits leading the Seawolves to victory, 71-89.

The Trojans and Seawolves shot 52% and 50% respectively from the field and 54.5% and 37.5% from beyond the 3-point arc.  The smaller Trojans were out rebounded by the Seawolves 21 to 40 and had more turnovers 15-8.

The Trojans come back into the continental United States and begin 2010 taking on Purdue Calumet January 6th at 7:00 PM.