Angola, Ind. - A strong defensive first half for the Trine University men's basketball team propelled them to a win in their home conference opener 79-56 over Alma College. The Thunder improve to 9-4 on the season and 2-0 in the conference.
After scoring a trey to open the game, Alma took a 9-8 lead just over six minutes into the game. From there, Trine kicked it into gear on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Junior Scott Rogers (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) gave the Thunder their first lead of the game when he sank a jumper from in the paint as Trine led it 10-9. The Thunder proceeded to go on a 16-4 run over the next seven minutes to give the Trine a commanding 13 point lead. Trine pushed their lead to 17 points with just under two minutes remaining in the half when junior Ian Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) forced a turnover and stole the ball from the Scots and converted on the ensuing jumper. Alma scored the final two points of the half when Tommy Erickson converted on free throws after he was fouled on a shot as time expired, as the Thunder lead it 40-28. The defense for Trine came up big in the first half, as the Thunder converted 11 Alma turnovers into 16 points.
The two sides battled back and forth to open the second half as the Scots kept the score within reach. Trine was able to put some distance on the scoreboard as they went on a 6-0 run in a two minute span to lead by 18 points. The Scots battled back to pull within 12 at 57-45 but that would be as close as they would get to the Thunder. Trine would go on another run, this time scoring seven unanswered points to push their lead to 20. The Thunder defense held Alma to just one point over the final four minutes of play to finish off the Scots.
The Thunder were led by Jackson who scored a game-high 24 points. Jackson nailed down game-highs in almost every category with seven rebounds, five assists and three steals. Jackson was near perfect from the free throw line hitting 10-of-11. Sophomore Chris Kent (Angola, Ind./Angola) upped his career-high in points for the second straight game as he poured in 21 to go along with six rebounds. Senior Tim Pearcy (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) added in 14 points. Rogers contributed with 10 points to go along with five boards and two blocks.
The Thunder shot lights out in the first half shooting 51.7 percent, but hit just 39.3 percent in the second half. Trine shot a season-high 88 percent from the charity stripe in the game, hitting 22-of-25 on the afternoon. Trine's defense held the Scots to a season-low 36.2 percent (17-of-47) from the floor.
Trine is 2-0 in the MIAA play for the first time in school history. The Thunder will look to continue their run as they host Adrian College on January 11 for a 7:30 p.m. game.