MT VERNON, OHIO-- A superb defensive effort helped Trine close out 2013 with a 57-47 victory over Mt. Vernon Nazarene in non-conference action New Year's Eve in Ariel Arena.
The suffocating Thunder defense held the host Cougars scoreless for a 10:16 span between the first half and second half. That stretch helped Trine turn a tie game into a 17-point lead, which would not shrink to single digits until the closing minutes. The Thunder held Mt. Vernon Nazarene to 34 percent shooting (16-of-47) in the contest. Nick Tatu (Clarkston, Mich.) paced the Thunder offensively with a season-high 20 points and connected on a season-high six threes. Bryan Redic was the lone Cougar to reach double-figures with 11 points. Trine improves to 6-4 on the season. Mt. Vernon Nazarene falls to 3-11 overall.
Will Dixon (Indianapolis, Ind.) scored 14 points and added six rebounds for the Thunder. Tyler Good (Swanton, Ohio) filled the stat sheet with 12 points, six boards and five assists. Trine shot just 34 percent from the field (18-of-53), but connected on 8-of-18 from long distance (44 percent) and 77 percent from the free throw line (13-of-17).
Martell Medley scored nine points, adding seven rebounds and five assists for the Cougars. Trine force Mt. Vernon Nazarene into 20 turnovers in the contest. The Cougars did hold a 13-0 advantage in points off the bench.
After Medley hit a pair of free throws to knot the score at 21-apiece with 1:25 to play in the first half, the Thunder locked down defensively to hold MVNU scoreless over the next 10:16. Trine did not allow the Cougars to hit a field goal for over 15 minutes of playing time, spanning from a Patrick Lucas jumper with 6:45 to play in the first half to a Jacob Starinsky three with 11:12 remaining.
A jumper by Tyler Good gave Trine the lead for good at 23-21 with 54 seconds remaining in the first half. The Thunder would take that lead into the break.
Trine scored the first 15 points of the second half, which proved too much for MVNU to overcome. Dixon scored seven points, while Tatu added a pair of threes during that stretch. Trine would lead by as much as 18 when Tatu hit another three to put the Thunder up 47-29 with 8:09 remaining in the contest.
The Cougars were able to rally to close the Thunder lead to 51-44 with 2:01 to play on a layup by Medley, but were unable to pull any closer.
Trine will play their third of four-consecutive road contests when they travel to Ohio Northern this Saturday, Jan. 4. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.