FRANKLIN, Ind. - After trailing by 13 early in the second half, the Trine University men's basketball team nearly pulled off a comeback win, falling to Franklin College 69-62. The loss snaps Trine's three-game winning streak, and drop to 6-3 on the season.

Trine jumped out to an early lead 5 minutes into the game as they scored six unanswered points to lead 10-5. Franklin though would slowly chip away at the Thunder lead, taking a one point lead at 17-16 with 9:49 to play in the half as Terry Porter was fouled and made the 3-pointer and ensuing free throw. After trading baskets, the Grizzlies would close out the first half on a 17-6 run, leading 36-24.

After exchanging buckets to open the second half, Franklin took their largest lead of the game on a three, 39-26. This time it would be Trine who would chip away at the lead. Over the next 8 minutes of play the Thunder would out-score Franklin 18-9 to pull within four. Trine would hang tough with the Grizzles, staying within reach.

Freshman Nick Tatu (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) would hit three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point try to trail by five at 60-55. That would be as close as Trine would get it, as Franklin scored the next six points. The Thunder did their best to pull within striking distance late, scoring eight points in the final 52 seconds, but were unable to hit a three or a layup as time expired.

Senior Scott Rogers (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) led the Thunder with 18 points on 7-of-11 shooting. Rogers also pulled down six rebounds while dishing out three assists and grabbing two steals. Freshman Jared Holmquist (Reed City, Mich./Reed City) added in a season-high 14 points while pulling down a game-high nine rebounds. Fellow freshman Tarvis Malone (Toledo, Ohio/St. Johns Jesuit) reached double-digits with 10 points.

Trine will take the next two weeks off before returning to action when they participate in a tournament hosted by Otterbein beginning December 28. They will first face Penn St.-Behrend at 3:00 p.m.