SOUTH BEND, Ind.- The Indiana University South Bend Titans (11-9, 8-4 CCAC) defeated the Trinity Christian College Trolls (6-14, 3-9 CCAC) by a final score of 83-69 to remain just two and a half games back of first place in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference.
Trading baskets halfway through the first period, IU South Bend was able to pull away from the Trolls thanks to a 10-3 run that put the Titans in front 33-21.
Trinity Christian narrowed their deficit to just eight points with just two and a half minutes to play in the first period before a 6-0 run to close out the half allowed IUSB to go into the locker room with a 14 point advantage, leading 45-31.
A dominating first 14 minutes of play from the Titans in the second half allowed their lead to grow to as much as 24 points before Trinity Christian went on a brief run to bring them within 14 at 77-63.
One last gasp did not prove to be enough for the Trolls as IU South Bend came out victorious over Trinity Christian by a final score of 83-69.
An efficient IUSB offense shot better than 58% as a team in the game while featuring three players to score in double figures, led by Titans leading scorer
Jylen Petty who finished with 15 points.
Petty's 15 points came on 60% shooting from the field (6-10) while knocking down three of the six three pointers that he attempted in just 21 minutes of action.
The next Titan to score in double figures was senior guard
Quentez Columbus who reached 1,000 career points in his collegiate career thanks to 12 points in Saturday's win.
Columbus' 12 points came on 50% shooting from the field while also collecting three rebounds and dishing out two assists.
The last Titan to score in double figures was freshman guard
Mark White who finished with 11 points.
11 points marks the first time this season that White posted double digits, doing so by shooting 60% from the field and a perfect 4-4 from the free throw line.
The Indiana University South Bend Titans return to action on Wednesday, January 29th, when they travel to Joliet, Ill., to take on the Saints of the University of Saint Francis at 8:00 PM ET.