BUFFALO, N.Y. - The Trine University women's basketball team used a strong first half to power past Buffalo State to win the championship game of the Betty Abgott Invitational.

The Thunder built a 19 point lead at the half as they shot 44.8 percent from the floor (13-of-29) in the first period, including 50 percent from behind the arc and 90 percent from the charity stripe.

The Bengals would fight back in the second half, out-scoring the Thunder 35-24, but Trine was able to convert 13-of-16 from the free throw line in the half to seal the victory

Senior Haley Killingbeck (Poneto, Ind./Southern Wells) led the way for the Thunder with a game- and career-high 21 points, all of which came from behind the arc. Killingbeck hit 7-of-14 from downtown, just one shy of tying the school record, while collecting five rebounds and swatting away three shots. Killingbeck had what would have been the record-tying three waved off after officials called Trine for an illegal screen.

Senior Megan Loveberry (Quincy, Mich./Quincy) and sophomore Kelsey Henselmeier (Martinsville, Ind./Martinsville) each added in 11 points. Henselmeier pulled down six boards and dished out a team best four assists while Loveberry grabbed five boards a made a game-high five steals. Senior Sydney Spragg (Reading, Mich./Reading) also scored in double-digits, adding 10 points to go along with a game-high nine rebounds.

Killingbeck was named the tournament MVP after combining for 29 points, 15 rebounds and 6 blocks in the two games. Henselmeier was also named to the All-Tournament team finishing with 24 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

Killingbeck's seven 3-point field goals were the most since Mindy Tilford also made seven against Kalamazoo on February 10, 2004. Tilford also holds the record with eight against Albion in 2005.

Trine returns to Angola to open their home schedule against Franklin on November 20 at 7:00 p.m.