OLIVET, Mich. -- The Trine men's basketball team never trailed as the Thunder cruised to an 87-65 victory over Olivet in MIAA-action Saturday evening in Cutler Event Center.
Trine shot 57 percent (29-of-51) from the field, the team's second-best effort of the season, which included an 11-of-20 (55 percent) effort from three-point range. Will Dixon (Indianapolis, Ind. / Zionsville) led the way with 30 points on 8-of-11 from the field and an 11-of-12 effort from the line. Dixon's performance moved him into seventh on the team's all-time scoring list with 1,627 career points. The senior now has topped the 30-point mark eight times in his career. He also dished out five assists. The Thunder improved to 8-9 overall and 3-3 in the MIAA. The Comets fell to 6-11 overall, 2-4 in conference play.
Kyle Dodson (Centerville, Ohio / Centerville) added 16 points and dished out a team-high seven assists for Trine. Dodson is averaging 6.7 assists over the last three games. Adam Ciszewski (Sacramento, Calif. / Bella Vista) also reached double-figures with a career-high 11 points, which included a 3-of-4 effort from long-distance. The Thunder entered the game as the 14th-best three-point shooting team in the nation.
Aaron Washington came off the bench to pace the Comets with 16 points. Eric Ewing, who entered the game averaging 20.4 points per contest, was held to 12 points on a 4-of-11 effort from the field. Olivet shot 41 percent from the field (23-of-56).
Four points from Ellis Cummings (Ottawa Hills, Ohio / Ottawa Hills) and a three by Adison Daub (Corunna, Ind. / DeKalb) paced a 7-0 start for Trine. The Thunder pushed its lead to double-digits for the first time on a Dixon three less than five minutes into the contest.
Trine blew things wide open with a 23-1 run over a span of 8:15 to open up a 28-point first half advantage. The Thunder defense forced the Comets into nine straight misses from the field and forced two turnovers during that stretch. Trine knocked down four treys and 8-of-12 from the field during that span to open up a 41-13 lead with 3:52 to play in the first half.
The Comets never closed the deficit to fewer than 12 points the rest of the way. The Thunder got to the free throw line 20 times in the second half, knocking down 17 to help seal the victory.
Trine returns to action Wednesday, Jan. 25 when the Thunder host Albion as part of a doubleheader in Hershey Hall. Tip-off is scheduled for 8 p.m.