ANGOLA, Ind. – Trine University ripped off a 12-0 run over four minutes that stretched between the first and second halves and it pulled away for a 78-58 victory over Albion College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association women's basketball action.

Trine led by as many as nine early, but Albion answered with a 23-15 run to whittle the margin to one, 30-29, when Erin Nelson hit a pair of free throws with 1:44 remaining in the first half. Guards Tori Henning and Olivia Savage each knocked down a pair of 3-point shots to help Albion cut the deficit.

Trine scored on its final three possessions of the first half while Albion misfired on its final three shots as the Thunder extended the margin to 37-29 at halftime.

"Everything happened so fast," Albion Head Coach Doreen Carden said when asked about Trine's run at the end of the first half. "That run really hurt us, going to the locker room down eight.

"We gave up too many easy baskets early," Carden added. "I feel like we are better defensively than that. We didn't set the tone early."

Whitney Shaffer knocked down a 3-point shot and Kayla Dunn scored a jumper on Trine's first two possessions of the second half and the Thunder led by at least 11 the rest of the way.

First-year guard Catie Neary shined in the second half for Albion. She produced 12 points by scoring on 4-of-5 shots from the field. Henning, also a first-year guard, finished with eight points.

"It's nice seeing those kids step up," Carden said. "We're going to need them the rest of the year. They are getting better."

First-year forward Erin Nelson led Albion with 13 points and junior Darian Payne produced her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Trine had five players produce at least seven points. Dunn and Alivia Recker finished with 12 points apiece and Nikky Moan added 10.

Albion's next game is a Jan. 7 date at Hope College.