Trinity (15-5, 8-2) led 32-29 at halftime, shooting 44.8% (13-29) in the opening 20 minutes. Both teams battled for the lead in the first half, but Trinity scored the final three points to take the slim lead.
The Tigers pulled out to an 11-point lead (45-34) in the first five minutes of the second half, but Southwestern made a handful of short runs to cut the lead to three (52-49) with 7:50 remaining. Trinity had a seven-point lead with 2:06 to play, but five quick points by the Pirates made it a 62-60 game with 1:28 left.
Trinity missed a shot with just over one minute left, but Andy Bates came up with a big offensive rebound that was followed by a basket with 58 seconds to play. The Pirates answered with a bucket at the 30-second mark, and both Ross Burt and Brandon York hit four free throws in the final seconds to clinch the win.
Burt led the Tigers with 20 points on 7-13 shooting - including 4-6 from beyond the arc. Bates added 13 points and eight boards, while Brandon York came off the bench with 16 points and a pair of assists.
Jay Riola led all players with nine rebounds, adding four points and a couple of blocks. Mike Gilb chipped in with six points and five rebounds off the bench.
Robert Cates led the Pirates with 20 points, while Jamonn Little added 19. Cates also had a team-best seven rebounds, while Aaron Bowser had six assists.
Trinity returns home tomorrow night to host the University of Dallas at 8:00 p.m. With tonight's win, the Tigers pull back into a first-place tie with Southwestern in the SCAC standings.