ADRIAN, Mich. - The Trine University men's basketball team nearly pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in school history, but fell just short in the MIAA Conference Tournament 59-50 to Adrian College. Trine trailed by as many as 13 in the first half before making a second half comeback to take a three point lead. The Thunder end the season with a record 15-11 overall.
Coming into the game, defense was going to play a key role for both teams and it showed in the opening minutes as both sides were held scoreless through the first two and a half minutes. Trine broke the scoreless drought as junior Scott Rogers (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) converting on a layup off a inbounds pass.
Adrian would score their first points after Eric Lewis was fouled on a three point attempt and converted two shots. The Bulldogs would not make their first field goal of the game until the 16:39 mark. Adrian would add four free throws as they lead 8-4 with 12 minutes remaining.
Adrian would add a pair of layups as they extended their lead as both sides would get into foul trouble as the two teams would trade free throws over the next several minutes.
Trine would be held without a field goal for nearly nine minutes before freshman Isaac Loechle (Greensburg, Ind./North Decatur) would finally end the drought, as he hit a three with just over six minutes to go. From there the Thunder offense would get going at they scored back-to-back buckets to close the gap to single digits.
Adrian would make six free throws in the final two minutes as they took a 32-20 lead into the break.
Trine came out ready to play in the second half as freshman Braden Knight (Bedford, Ind./Bedford North Lawrence) hit a three and junior Ian Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) convert on a three point play as he was fouled after making a layup to pull the Thunder within six less than a minute into the half.
After a missed shot by the Bulldogs, Rogers was fouled after making fast-break layup and converted on the free throw as Trine trailed by just one 32-31.
Trine would hold the Bulldogs scoreless through the first seven minutes of the half until Richaud Pack hit a three for Adrian. Sophomore Chris Kent (Angola, Ind./Angola) would answer right back with a three point play as he was fouled making a layup. Trine would take their first lead since early in the first half when Rogers made a tip-in off a Jackson missed layup. Jackson would follow that with a runner in the paint to put Trine up 40-37.
Adrian would re-take the lead with 5:44 left in the game after making a dunk 43-42. Trine would answer back as senior Tim Pearcy (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) hit a jumper from the baseline to pull within one and Rogers followed that up with a jumper from the paint to give Trine the lead back. The Bulldogs would counter with a pair of free throws and a layup by Pack to lead by three with 2:40 to go.
The two sides would trade baskets as Rogers pulled the Thunder within one at 51-50 with under two minutes to go. Pack would hit a three for Adrian, was fouled, and convert on the free throw to give the Bulldogs a five point lead.
Trine would be unable to convert on their final possessions as the Bulldogs made five free throws in the final minute to seal the victory.
Trine was led by Rogers with 20 points on 6-of-15 shooting and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Kent was the only other Trine played in double-digits with 11 points while dishing out a game-high four assists. Pearcy came off the bench to contribute six points and four boards. After scoring 17 in their last matchup, Jackson was held to just five points.
Trine made more field goals on the night, but the Bulldogs were able to convert on 25-of-31 from the free throw line. The Thunder were able to make a season-high 93.3 percent (14-of-15) from the free throw line, but made just 31.5 percent (17-of-54) from the floor. Adrian held a 38-to-29 rebounding lead while the Thunder forced 14 Bulldog turnovers.
The two teams had split their regular season meetings, while the Bulldogs had won their only previous conference tournament matchup back in 2008.