CHICAGO – The Trinity men's basketball team headed to the Midway Classic today to prove they belonged among the best teams in the nation. On the first day of the tournament, they've already done just that, beating third-ranked Emory University 90-78. 

Dylan Walker (Highland Park, Texas / Highland Park) and Dean Balo (Dallas, Texas / JJ Pearce) both recorded 18 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists for the Tigers. Both players were key to the Tigers' defensive dominance, as Walker grabbed a steal and Balo recorded two steals. Will Bronson (Dallas, Texas / Jesuit) was a force on the glass once again, grabbing 8 rebounds to go along with 16 points, a steal and a block. Zach Fenn (Covington, La. / Saint Paul's) terrorized Emory's ball handlers with 6 steals, his third career game with 6 or more steals.

Things were back and forth between the two teams throughout the first half, with neither side able to build up more than a six-point lead. The Tigers outshot the Eagles in terms of efficiency, draining 50% (16-32) of their shots to Emory's 41% (13-32). Neither side gained a significant advantage in any other stat category as the two teams fought in a close matchup. At the end of the first half, the Tigers were up four, 41-37.

In the second half, the Tigers put their stamp on the game defensively, forcing 10 turnovers while giving up only 4. Trinity took no time stretching its lead out with a 12-4 run in the first 4:33 of the second half, thanks in large part to Fenn's 4 steals in just four minutes. The Eagles battled back, bringing the game within two with 11 minutes to go. The Tigers responded with 9 unanswered points, a gap Emory was never able to close. Trinity finished the game out with more shutdown defense, extending their lead to 12 to take the 90-78 win.

Lockdown defense was the key for the Tigers in the upset victory over the Eagles, who came into the season ranked third nationally. Trinity recorded 12 steals, 8 of which came in the second half. They forced the Eagles to give away 21 turnovers while only giving up 11. 

Trinity will take on No. 11 University of Chicago tomorrow in the second day of the Midway Classic. The last time the two teams matched up was in 2023, when the Tigers won 82-63 at home. Now 2-0 on the year and with a top-5 win on their resume, Trinity will carry a lot of momentum into a matchup with a 1-0 Maroons team with two preseason All-Americans.