KALAMAZOO, Mich. - A strong defensive first half by the Trine University women’s basketball team allowed them to never trail in their 53-46 victory over MIAA opponent Kalamazoo College. With the win the Thunder improve to 9-7 on the season and 3-4 in the conference.
After trading baskets to open the game, the Thunder would score the next five points and never look back. With 13:51 to play in the first half and leading by just three at 10-7, Trine would go a 10-point run over the next four minutes to go up by double-digits. After Kalamazoo cut the lead to just six, the Thunder battled back finishing the half on an 8-1 run before the Hornets hit a three with 17 seconds remaining.
Leading by 10 to start the second half, Kalamazoo gave Trine a run for their money as they cut the Thunder lead to just four. Leading 34-30 seven minutes into the half, the Trine defense would keep the Hornets off the scoreboard for the next six minutes of play as they built their lead back to double-digits. After neither team was able to score for nearly a four minute stretch, the final 2:55 of play saw a fury of scoring and the teams combined 22 points.
Senior Sydney Spragg (Reading, Mich./Reading) led the way for Trine with a game-high 18 points, including making 6-of-10 from the free throw line. Spragg also led the Thunder with a game-high three steals while adding five rebounds and four assists. Fellow senior Megan Loveberry (Quincy, Mich./Quincy) added eight points and led the Thunder with eight rebounds and picking off two turnovers. Sophomore Kayla Dunn (Larwill, Ind./Columbia City) led Trine with a game-high five assist and contributing seven points. Senior Haley Killingbeck (Poneto, Ind./Southern Wells) scored six points, grabbed six boards and swatted away a game-high three shots.
Trine held the Hornets to just 25.9% (15-of-58) shooting from the floor on the afternoon, a season-best for the Thunder. The 15 field goals made also tied a defensive season-low for the Thunder.
The ladies will return to action on January 16 when they host Alma at 6:00 p.m.