KOKOMO, Ind. -- The Midway University men's basketball team got their 2018-19 season underway on Friday afternoon when they played the opening game of the IU Kokomo Classic when they took on Trinity Christian College (Ill.).

The game was a seesaw battle that went back-and-forth featuring 13 ties and five lead changes throughout. Unfortunately for Midway, the Trolls came out on top with the 77-71 victory.

The Eagles held their largest lead of the game with just over 11 minutes remaining. Sophomore, Luke Thorburg (St. Louis, Mo.) converted an and-one to give Midway a 56-53 lead.

Trinity Christian got a free throw and a triple to regain the lead – a lead they wouldn't relinquish. A hook shot from Jose Bustamante (Surprise, Ariz.) cut the lead to one with just over eight minutes remaining.

That would be as close as Midway would get in the final minutes of the game as they were unable to get stops and convert on the offensive end down the stretch as the Trolls (1-0) came away with the victory.

The Eagles placed five players in double figures with Ty Sparling (Kokomo, Ind.) lead the way with 14. Kaleb Britt (Bowling Green, Ky.) and Jose Bustamante added 13 points apiece, while Kwon Evans (Louisville, Ky.) and Izaya Sims (East Moline, Ill.) scored 11 points each.

Both Sims and Evans just missed out on double-doubles as they tallied eight and seven boards, respectively.

Joshua Shannon and Myles Birgans paced the Trolls with a game-high 16 points apiece. The Trolls also shot 46.2 percent (30-65) from the floor, while Midway hit just 39.4 percent (26-66) from the floor.

The Eagles will wrap up play in the IU Kokomo Classic on Saturday afternoon when they take on Silver Lake College (Wis.) at 3:30 p.m. ET.

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