Palos Heights, Ill. - Playing for the first time in the new year, Trinity Christian College men's basketball (7-9, 3-6 CCAC) rode the hot hand of senior James Pennington and the extra effort from sophomore Braxton Barnhizer to a 93-60 non-conference victory over Andrews University (2-10).

Pennington scored 34 points, seven assists and four steals. Barnhizer went for 14 points, 16 rebounds and 12 assists to earn his first career triple double. Trinity Christian College had their most efficient night from the field this season. They shot 57.8% (37-64) from the field and 43.8% (10-23) from three. 

"Today was a great team effort. Offensively we shared the basketball and played very unselfishly," head coach Jason Hawkins said. "Our guys looked like they were having fun and it was great to watch. This was a great way to start the new year. We definitely moved forward tonight."

While the offense scored 93 points, it was a six-minute and four-second stretch that kept the Cardinals off the scoreboard. With 10:26 left in the first half, the Trolls led 24-15. Andrews didn't score again until the 4:22 mark in the first half and the Trinity lead sat at 38-17.

Pennington showed off the bounce with a handful of dunks, including one in the first three minutes of the night. He had 14 points in the first half and added another 20 in the second half. He went 8-for-8 from the free-throw line and added seven assists and four steals to his night.

Junior Vince Overway snagged his first double-double of the year. He had 12 points and 10 rebounds on a 2-for-3 night from the perimeter. Freshman Deon McLaughlin continued his stellar season. An efficient 8-for-11 night from the field included 17 points. It's the eighth double-figure game for McLaughlin. 

NOTES, NUMBERS & WHAT'S NEXT:

• Freshman Brandon Taylor came off the bench to score his first points of the year. He had eight points including two three-pointers.
• Junior Jared Oates entered the game in the second half. Thirteen seconds later he drilled a three-pointer. 
• Two of the three highest scoring games this season have come against Andrews University.
• Trinity Christian College will hit the road on Saturday, Jan. 8 to take on Indiana University South-Bend at 2:00 p.m. CT. The last time the two team's met, South Bend secured an 80-47 win.