Hot Start, Suffocating Defense Lead Thunder Over Olivet

Game Leaders

Trine
Pts: Brandi Dawson - 19
Reb: 3 Players (#13, #14, #23 - 4)
Ast: Ashley Elliott - 3
Olivet
Pts: Brittany McDuffie - 7
Reb: Jillian Nickels - 8
Ast: Leeza Fortner - 3

Team Stats

Trine
Olivet

Field Goals

(27-54)
(10-42)

Field Goal %

50.0%
23.8%

Rebounds

34
31

Assists

17
6

Turnovers

13
27

Pts off Turnovers

41
6

2nd Chance Pts

7
4

Pts in the Paint

34
16

Fastbreak Pts

10
0

Bench Pts

34
13
full stats
More news about: Trine
Jan 21, 2017

OLIVET, Mich. -- No. 24 Trine used a hot start and a suffocating defensive effort to earn a 76-29 victory over Olivet in MIAA-action Saturday afternoon at Cutler Event Center.

The Thunder opened the game on a 23-0 run and forced 27 Comet turnovers on the night, which Trine was able to convert into 41 points. The 29 points represent the fewest the team has allowed this season. The Thunder held Olivet to a 24 percent (10-of-42) shooting effort from the field. Brandi Dawson (Garrett, Ind. / Garrett) scored a game-high 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting to pace the offensive effort. She averaged 26 points on 67 percent shooting on the week. Trine improved to 15-2 overall, 8-1 in the MIAA. The Comets fell to 1-16 overall, 1-8 in conference play.

Ashley Elliott (Scottsburg, Ind. / Scottsburg) came off the bench to reach double-figures for the second consecutive game. The junior scored 13 points, knocked down 3-of-5 from three-point range and dished out three assists. Montana Martin (Columbia City, Ind. / Churubusco) also reached double-figures with 10 points on 3-of-4 shooting.

Dawson and Hayley Martin (Auburn, Ind. / DeKalb) each blocked three shots to help pace the defensive effort. Dawson added a team-high four steals. Taylor Cole (Mount Pleasant, Mich. / Shepherd) moved into a tie for seventh in team history with 159 career steals.

Brittany McDuffie came off the bench to lead Olivet with seven points. Jillian Nickels grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

The Thunder came out of the gate firing on all cylinders, shooting 73 percent (11-of-15) in the first quarter to take a commanding lead early. Trine scored the first 23 points of the contest and led by as much as 26 in the first quarter. The Thunder held a 29-7 advantage after the first 10 minutes.

The early dominance continued into the second quarter, during which Trine held the Comets to just three points on one made field goal. The Thunder shot 62 percent (8-of-13) during the second quarter to take a 48-10 lead into the break and turn the game into a decisive route.

Trine returns to action Wednesday, Jan. 25 when the Thunder play host to Saint Mary's as part of a doubleheader in Hershey Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.