ANGOLA, Ind.-- Trine was unable to overcome a slow start, as Hope put an end to the Thunder's MIAA title hopes with a 55-44 victory Thursday night in Hershey Hall.
Hope built a 16-point lead over the game's first 10 minutes of play. Trine was never able to pull any closer than five the rest of the night. The Flying Dutchmen outscored the Thunder 26-14 in the paint, including 22-6 in the game's first 20 minutes. Harrison Blackledge led the way with 19 points on a 7-of-10 shooting effort. Will Dixon (Indianapolis, Ind./Zionsville) led Trine with 14 points on a 6-of-15 performance from the floor. Hope improves to 18-8 overall and advances to the MIAA Championship to face Calvin Saturday night. Trine concludes the season 17-9.
Sam Otto came off the bench to provide a big spark for the Dutchmen, scoring 15 points. Brock Benson added 12 points and seven boards. Hope shot 42 percent from the floor.
Tyler Good (Swanton, Ohio/Evergreen) added 11 points for Trine. Good, Jake Bagley (Van Wert, Ohio/Van Wert) and Dustin Hall (Fort Wayne, Ind./South Side) played the final games of their Thunder careers. The seniors provided valuable leadership in the Thunder's best season as a member of NCAA Division III.
Hope's muscle inside made much of the difference early. Blackledge and Benson combined for 19 of 32 Flying Dutchmen points in the first half. Benson scored the first eight points of the contest as the Dutch opened on a 10-0 run. Benson and Blackledge combined for 17 of the first 22 points as Hope built a 22-6 lead with 9:52 to play in the first half.
Trine was able to slowly chip away at the Hope lead in the second half, as a 14-4 surge cut the deficit to 45-40 with 5:47 to play. Good and Hall led the way, combining for 10 of those points.
The comeback was not to be however, as the Flying Dutchmen clamped down defensively to hold the Thunder without a field goal the rest of the way.
Trine's 17-9 season is the team's best since the 2000-01 campaign.