PALOS HEIGHTS, Ill. – Three Trolls would finish in double figures as Trinity took a lead late in the third quarter, but a late push from the visitors would result in a tough loss, 63-59 to Judson on Wednesday night inside DeVos Gymnasium.

The Trolls would jump out to a 9-0 lead behind seven points from Bibi Mercado, but after a timeout the Eagles would respond, going on a 14-point run to claim a 14-9 advantage near the 2:00 mark of the first quarter.

Trinity would reclaim the lead with another big run to start the second quarter, scoring the first eight points to go up 24-18, with four different Trolls scoring during the rally. Trinity would lead the rest of the first half, until a last-second three gave the Eagles a 30-29 edge at the break.

After Amena Alexander's three at the 5:54 mark of the third quarter put Trinity ahead 36-34, Judson would respond with a 9-0 in under two minutes. The Trolls bounced back, scoring seven straight of their own to tie the game with an Alexander bucket with 2:35 remaining, 43-43. Following a Judson free throw, Mercado would hit a three to give the Trolls the lead, but the Eagles would score twice in the last minute to take a 48-46 lead into the fourth quarter.

Judson would start the fourth on an 8-2 run, building a 56-48 lead with 7:02 to play, and the Trolls were unable to rally back, closing the gap to within two points in the final seconds.

Mercado finished the night with 19 points and six rebounds, while Desire Berrien posted another double-double, scoring 17 points with 11 boards. Alexander tallied 12 points and seven assists.

Trinity now prepares for Saturday's road trip, when they will travel to face Indiana Northwest. Tipoff with the Redhawks is set for 1:00 p.m.