ANGOLA, Ind.-- The Trine women's basketball team used a record-setting shooting performance to earn an 86-45 victory over Kalamazoo in MIAA-action Wednesday night in Hershey Hall.
The Thunder shot 63.8 percent (37-of-58) from the floor to set a new program-best mark based on records that date to 1995. Trine accomplished this feat while holding the Hornets to just a 17-of-49 (34.7 percent) effort from the floor. Eight Thunder players scored five or more points, paced by Hayley Martin's (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb) 19 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Emily Kozal led Kalamazoo with 11 points. Trine improved to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in the MIAA. The Hornets fell to 2-4 overall, 1-2 in conference play.
Ball movement played a large role in the successful shooting performance for the Thunder as they dished out 23 assists while committing just eight turnovers. Taylor Cole (Mount Pleasant, Mich./Shepherd) dished out a career-high five dimes. Trine was able to hold Kalamazoo to just nine assists and forced the Hornets into 22 turnovers. The Thunder converted those miscues into 32 points, 18 of which came on the fast break.
Brandi Dawson (Garrett, Ind./Garrett) extended her streak of scoring in double-figures to seven games to start her Trine career as she scored 15 points on 7-of-10 shooting. Alivia Recker (Arlington, Ohio/Arlington) added a season-high 12 points on an efficient 6-of-8 effort from the floor, while Whitney Shaffer (Tipton, Ind./Tri-Central) matched Recker's efforts with a dozen points.
Trine was able to exploit Kalamazoo's lack of size inside as the Thunder held a 44-22 edge in points in the paint. Shaely Duff (Greenfield, Ind./Mount Vernon) got into the act inside for Trine with a career-high six points.
The Thunder never trailed in the contest as they scored the first five points and never looked back. Recker helped pace the hot start, scoring six points to help Trine take a 17-9 lead after the first quarter. The Thunder stretched the lead above 20 for the first time with a 16-4 surge over a span of seven minutes in the second. Trine would take a 41-20 lead into the break.
Martin scored 11 of her points to keep the Thunder in control during the third quarter. Trine would go on to shoot 75 percent (12-of-16) in the final 10 minutes close out the victory.
The Thunder will host Saint Mary's in MIAA-action this Saturday, Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. The game is part of doubleheader action in Hershey Hall, with the Trine men following with a game against Great Lakes Christian at 3 p.m.