CHICAGO – Visiting Trinity International shot nearly 60 percent from the field and took full advantage of 16 turnovers committed by the Roosevelt men's basketball team in the Lakers' 107-77 loss to the Trojans at the Goodman Center on Saturday afternoon.
Korey Ryan led the Lakers (11-14, 7-10 CCAC) with 23 points thanks in large part to 5-for-10 shooting from downtown, while Kevin Priebe added 11 points and Jason Markus canned both of his attempts from three-point range to tally 10 points.
Grant Corsi led all scorers with 35 points for the Trojans (16-10, 9-8 CCAC), who shot 55 percent in the first half before squashing any hopes of a Roosevelt comeback by connecting on 64 percent from the floor after intermission for a 59 percent (43-for-73) clip.
"Trinity was absolutely phenomenal tonight," Roosevelt head coach Joe Griffin said. "We did not defend or rebound a lick tonight, but even if we did, I don't know how many teams anywhere were going to beat them. Corsi was outstanding and killed us on the glass, from three, and in transition. Their out-of-state kids have really gelled with their returners. They will be a very tough out."
The Lakers didn't help their cause with 16 giveaways, allowing TIU to score 29 points off those turnovers.
Trinity held a lead for most of the first half thanks to Corsi and Co. converting a high rate of shots, including seven treys in the opening period. Roosevelt got within eight late in the stanza, but TIU scored eight unanswered to end the half and take an 18-point lead into the break.
Roosevelt got within 14 about five minutes into the second period, but the Trojans took advantage of more turnovers by the Lakers and that was as close as the game would get for the remainder of regulation.
"Our rebounding is embarrassing and that is putting way too much pressure on the rest of our game," Griffin stated. "Offensively, we were going to be right there if we would have defended and rebounded better.
"Robert Morris is always an intense game, and we will get back on track up there Wednesday."
The Lakers take on rival and 16th-ranked Robert Morris Illinois in Arlington Heights this Wednesday, Feb. 10.
