ADA, Ohio-- The Trine men's basketball team defeated Ohio Northern 78-72 Saturday afternoon to give the Thunder its best start in over 30 years.
The victory extended Trine's winning-streak to eight games and gives the Thunder a 10-1 overall record, the team's best start since the 1983-84 season. Jared Holmquist (Reed City, Mich./Reed City) notched his second-straight double-double and seventh of the season to lead the way. The senior scored 23 points on 9-of-17 shooting, grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out a career-high six assists. Holmquist has notched double-doubles in four of the last five games. Ryan Bruns came off the bench to score 17 points to pace the Polar Bears. ONU falls to 5-7 on the season.
Will Dixon (Indianapolis, Ind./Zionsville) scored 20 points for the Thunder, knocking down 9-of-17 from the field. Kyle Dodson (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) provided a huge spark off the bench, scoring 17 points and knocking down a career-high five threes. Paced by Dodson's efforts, the Trine knocked down a season-best 45.8 percent (11-of-24) of its attempts from long range. The Thunder have knocked down 23 threes over the last two games.
Ben Syroka (Toledo, Ohio/Whitmer) dished out a season-high six assists while committing just one turnover. Sloan Whitaker (Van Wert, Ohio/Lincolnview) added a season-high five points off the bench.
Devon Allen added 15 points on 4-of-12 shooting for Ohio Northern. Konnor Baker notched a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Aaron Thress also chipped in 11 points. Joey Hurless, NCAA Division IIIs leader in assists per game, dished out nine assists. Trine was able to offset some of Hurless' passing ability by forcing the guard into five turnovers.
The Thunder had to overcome a hot start by the Polar Bears, who raced out to a 15-7 lead by knocking down their first six field goal attempts. Hurless assisted on four of the first six ONU buckets. The Polar Bears would lead by as much as 10 near the midway point of the first half.
A 13-2 surge brought Trine back into the contest. Six points from Dixon sparked the run on the offensive end. The score would remain tight into the half. Dodson knocked down a pair of threes in the closing minutes to give the Thunder a 38-34 lead at the break.
The early stages of the second half featured four ties and four lead changes as the two teams jockeyed for control of the contest.
A 9-2 run keyed a 15-6 Thunder surge over a span of 4:26 to give Trine a 71-61 lead with 5:09 to play. Dodson knocked down three treys during that surge. Four of ONUs points came from the line during that stretch as the Thunder held ONU to 1-of-3 from the field and forced two turnovers as they pulled away.
The Polar Bears fought back within five, but a big three by Tarvis Malone (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit) pushed the lead back to eight with 2:12 to play. Trine would lead by as much as 10 in the closing minute.
The game was the final regular-season nonconference test for the Thunder. Trine opens MIAA play this Wednesday, Jan. 6 at defending MIAA-Champion Calvin. Tip-off is slated for 8 p.m.