PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – Despite battling back from a double-digit deficit, Trinity were unable to complete the comeback on Thursday night, falling to St. Francis 80-76 inside DeVos Gymnasium.

Three players finished in double figures for the Trolls (4-6, 1-5 CCAC), led by Saeer Miller's game-high 19 points off the bench. John Cison and Michael Wright posted 15 points apiece, while Troy Glover pulled down a game-high 12 rebounds with eight points.

Trinity got off to a slow start, with just one field goal in the first four minutes of play, allowing the Saints (4-4, 3-3 CCAC) to build a 15-3 advantage by the 16:08 mark of the first half. Cison's jumper midway through the first pulled the Trolls to within single digits, and Trinity would use a 13-3 run over the final four minutes before the break to make it a 35-33 score, highlighted by Miller's three at the buzzer.

The momentum continued into the second half, with Jayden Bridgeman's three-pointer putting the Trolls in front for the first time with 19:13 to play. A three from Wright started a 7-2 run, capped by Glover's bucket at the 12:32 mark that gave Trinity their largest lead of the night, 52-44.

From there St. Francis responded, hitting three three-pointers in just over two minutes as part of a 13-0 run that put the visitors back in front, 57-52. The Trolls fought back, with Glover's layup at the 4:35 mark closing the gap to one, but Trinity were unable to reclaim the lead down the stretch.

The Trolls will look to bounce back with a non-conference test this weekend, as they travel south to face Welch (Tenn.) on Saturday, December 17. Tipoff from Gallatin, Tenn. is set for 2:00 p.m.