BOURBONAIS IL - The Trojans traveled to Bourbonais to take on NAIA D1 and 22nd ranked Tigers of Olivet Nazarene.  The high powered Trojan offense sputtered for most of the game as the Trojans shot just 25% from the field and fell 86-58.

 

Olivet took control of the game early as turnovers and missed shots were the story for the Trojans.  In the first half, the Trojans shot a mere 27% from the field while turning the ball over 9 times.  This all led to an early 15-6 deficit 5 minutes into the game.  Ignas Verbus (JR, Lithuania) then reeled off 5 straight points to cut the lead to 4.  Verbus would finish the night with 19 points and 5 rebounds.  Olivet would answer with a run of their own as they dominated the glass finishing with a 57-30 rebounding edge.  Their 12-0 run would push the lead to double digits for the first time on the night. 

The Trojans would scratch and claw the lead back to 10 with 3 minutes remaining in the half.  Jason Frost (SO, Manassas, VA) gave the Trojans a big spark off the bench contributing both on the defensive end with a steal and 4 rebounds, and on the offensive end with 6 points and 2 assists.  The Tigers however, would finish the half on a 14-5 and erase most of the momentum that the Trojans had gathered.  At Halftime the Trojans trailed 48-29. 

The second half would see the Olivet put the dagger in the heart of the Trojans early.  A quick 11-2 run to start the half would push the lead to 27 points.  The lead would be extended to as many as 33 before the Trojans were finally able to get anything going. 

The Trojans struggled even more on the offensive side of the ball in the second half than they did in the first.  Patrick Atkins (JR, Chicago IL) was the only Trojan able to get something going offensively as he finished the second half with 12 points and 3 steals.  Besides Atkins the Trojans shot a mere 23% from the floor and many of their points, 10,  came in transition off Olivet turnovers.  When the buzzer sounded the final score was Olivet 86 Trinity 58. 

The Trojans next travel to the south suburbs of Chicago to take on another rival in Trinity Christian College at 3:00 Saturday January 23.