KALAMAZOO, Mich.-- The Trine men's basketball team defeated Kalamazoo 78-66 in MIAA-action Wednesday night in Anderson Athletic Center.
The Thunder shot 55 percent (27-of-49) from the floor in earning the season sweep of the Hornets. Trine has now won 11 in a row against Kalamazoo. Will Dixon (Indianapolis, Ind./Zionsville) scored 25 points on an efficient 9-of-13 shooting clip. Dixon is shooting 61 percent from the field over the last two games. Josh Miller led the Hornets with 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting. Trine improved to 15-5 overall, 5-4 in the MIAA. The team is tied for third in the conference. Kalamazoo fell to 1-19 overall, 0-9 in conference play.
Jared Holmquist (Reed City, Mich./Reed City) added 16 points and six rebounds. Holmquist is now tied with Tony Gray (1981-85) for third in team history with 698 career rebounds. Tarvis Malone (Toledo, Ohio/St. John's Jesuit) contributed 14 points and knocked down 4-of-7 threes.
Chase Baysdell scored 12 points for Kalamazoo. The Hornets held a 30-20 scoring edge in the paint.
A 16-3 surge over a span of six minutes midway through the first half blew open what was a tight game early. Five players scored in the run, which was capped by a Kyle Dodson (Centerville, Ohio/Centerville) three to make the score 30-15 with 7:55 to play in the first half. Dodson scored 11 points to reach double figures for the fourth time in the last five games.
The Thunder lead never shrank to single digits the rest of the night. Malone and Dixon each scored 12 points in the first half as Trine opened up a 45-27 lead at the midway point.
Dixon continued his efficient performance in the second half with 13 more points. Holmquist added 10 points after halftime. The Thunder led by as much as 26 in the second half.
Trine returns to action Saturday, Feb. 6 for a key road matchup at Adrian. A victory would give the Thunder the season sweep of the Bulldogs, who trail Trine by one game in the conference standings.