Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton College men's basketball team earned a hard-fought 80-78 victory with Trinity International University on Thursday night, inside Wheaton's King Arena. Wheaton is now 6-2 on the year, while Trinity International is 6-7. The Thunder will return to action on Saturday night at 7:30 PM when it hosts Washington University (Mo.).

The Trojans jumped out to a 12-4 lead within the first three minutes of the game, however, Wheaton responded with a 20-7 scoring run to take a 26-21 edge with 9:50 left in the first half. The hosts held a 44-39 lead at halftime. Wheaton led by as many as 11 points in a 64-53 advantage with 10:07 left in regulation. Trinity International chipped away at Wheaton's lead with a 15-4 run to tie the game 68-68 with 5:10 left in regulation. A Trojan basket with 1:55 remaining in the game gave the guests their first lead of the second half with a 72-71 advantage. On the ensuing possession, Wheaton junior #Spencer Schultze# made a layup with 1:40 left in the game to give Wheaton a 73-72 lead. The Wheaton defense held Trinity International in check on their next two possessions and the Thunder made six of seven free throw attempts in the final minute to secure the 80-78 victory.

All-American Tim McCrary led the Thunder with 24 points, six rebounds and five assists. McCrary shot 7-of-9 from the field and was 10-of-12 at the free throw line. Schultze scored 21 points, with 10 rebounds. Senior guard Andrew Jahns scored 16 points, with five assists and five steals. Jeremy Pflederer contributed six points, with three assists.

Ignas Verbus led Trinity International with a game-high 26 points on 10-of-14 shooting from the field. Tyrone Smith scored 13 points, with three assists. Patrick Atkins and Christopher Collins each added eight points for the Trojans.

Wheaton shot 57.1% (28-49) from the floor, with 33.3% (2-6) from three-point range and 64.7% (22-34) at the free throw line. Trinity International posted a 55.8% (29-52) field goal percentage, with 54.5% (12-22) from three-point range and 80% (8-10) at the free throw line. Wheaton out-rebounded the Trojans 28-24, with an 8-4 edge on the offensive glass as the hosts held a 14-2 advantage in second-chance points.