ANGOLA, Ind. – In the week nine D3hoops.com Top 25, the Trine University men's basketball team is ranked 22nd. The Thunder collected two road victories last week, including a 76-64 win at Adrian College and 21-point victory against Olivet College, 73-52.
Trine is 17-2 overall this season and 7-1 in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play. Their win over Olivet marks the first sweep of a league opponent on the year. Four of the team's final six games are at home inside the MTI Center.
22 bench points versus the Comets is the third-highest total this season in a game. The Thunder also scored 50 points in the paint, a value that is tied for second for most points scored inside by the team in 2022-23. Senior Nate Carbaugh led the way with nine points, seven rebounds and three steals off the bench in 22 minutes.
Sophomores Grant Pahl and Ryan Preston swapped places as Preston was inserted into the starting lineup, which seems to be effective for both players. Preston had 10 points and Pahl seven against Olivet. Pahl is shooting 7-for-8 from the field in his last two games. Freshman Nate Tucker netted four points in just five minutes in Saturday's triumph.
Up next, Trine hosts Albion College, who they defeated 92-61 on the road earlier this season. Tip-off on Wednesday, February 1 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.