ANGOLA, Ind. - Despite not taking their first lead until 6:57 of the second half, the Trine University women’s basketball team pulled off a remarkable comeback defeating Adrian 46-41. The win improves the Thunder to 2-2 in the MIAA and 5-4 overall on the season.
It wasn’t looking good for the Thunder at the start as they were held without a field goal through the first 7 minutes of the game, trailing 10-1. Although Trine shot just 7-of-25 (28%) from the floor in the first half, the Thunder were able to slowly chip away at the Bulldogs lead. Senior Sydney Spragg (Reading, Mich./Reading) would hit an and-one opportunity with just 22 seconds left in the half to pull within four at 21-17 at the break.
Trine junior Lauren Tait (Syracuse, Ind./Wawasee) hit a layup to start the second half as the Thunder trailed by just two. Adrian though would answer back, going on a 13-4 run to take their biggest lead of the game with 14:31 to play. The Thunder defense would come alive, not allowing an Adrian point for nearly 5 minutes, until a field goal at 9:21. Trine still trailed by seven, but quickly score nine straight points as sophomore Kayla Dunn (Larwill, Ind./Columbia City) hit a jumper to give the Thunder their first lead of the game at 38-36.
Adrian would connect on a fast break layup at 4:11 to regain a one point lead, but that would be the final time. With 2:35 left in the game, Spragg would be fouled while attempting a three-pointer and would convert on all three free throws to give the Thunder a 41-39 lead that they would not relinquish. Adrian would hit a jumper to pull within two with just about a minute left in the game, but the Trine defense would not allow another point.
Spragg, the leading scorer in conference action, finished the night with a game-high 25 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 8-of-11 from the free throw line. Spragg also led the Thunder with six rebounds, and a game-high four steals and three assists. Dunn and Tait both scored nine points on the night. Senior Megan Loveberry (Quincy, Mich./Quincy) grabbed five rebounds while tying Spragg with four steals on the night and also swatting away two shots.
Trine held Adrian to a season-low in points, field goals made, field goals attempted, free throws made, free throws attempted and rebounds.
On a night filled with turnovers, 25 for Adrian and 23 for Trine, the Thunder pulled off a season-high 16 steals. In all, eight Trine players recorded a steal on the afternoon. The 16 steals by the Thunder are the most since they made 17 against Alma on January 14 of last season.
Trine will return to action on December 18 when they host Manchester for a 7:00 p.m. game.