SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Trinity Christian men's basketball team defeated Indiana University South Bend 75-73 on a buzzer-beating layup by Aiden Cilladi on Wednesday (Jan. 28).

The Trolls jumped out to an early 11-3 lead after Brandon Adorno knocked down a 3-pointer. Moments later, TCC extended its advantage to 18-7 following a jumper by Jaidan Gilzene.

IU South Bend responded with a 9-2 run over the next two minutes to cut the deficit to four, 20-16, with 9:41 remaining in the first half. Trinity answered with six straight points as Garrett Greene, Cilladi and Wandy Ortiz each scored to push the lead back to 26-16.

The Titans once again trimmed the margin to four with 2:28 left before halftime, but Brandt Martin and Cilladi halted the run with back-to-back baskets to give the Trolls a 36-27 lead at the break.

Greene opened the second half with a 3-pointer to give Trinity a double-digit advantage. IU South Bend answered with the next nine points to make it a one-point game at 39-38 with 15:32 remaining.

After the teams traded baskets, the Titans tied the game with a 3-pointer before Trinity responded with a 7-0 run to regain control, 48-41.

Trinity Christian later stretched its lead to 58-45 with 9:43 to play, but IU South Bend refused to go away. The Titans used a 15-5 run over the next four minutes to pull within three, 63-60.

Greene stopped the momentum with a 3-pointer to make it 66-60 with under five minutes remaining. Tylan Harris added a triple with 2:07 left, but IU South Bend rallied once more.

The Titans tied the game at 73-73 with three seconds remaining, forcing a Trinity timeout. Out of the break, the Trolls fed the ball inside to Cilladi, who converted the game-winning layup as time expired.

UP NEXT
Trinity returns home to face Judson on Saturday, Jan. 31, at 1 p.m. CT.