ANGOLA, Ind.-- A suffocating defensive effort and a big game from sophomore Alivia Recker powered Trine to a 60-31 victory over visiting Anderson Saturday afternoon at Hershey Hall.
Trine's swarming defense held Anderson to 19 percent shooting (10-of-52) on the afternoon. The effort was the second-stingiest field goal percentage allowed by a Thunder team since the school transitioned to Division III 10 years ago. Recker paced the Thunder with 20-point, two-rebound, five-assist performance. The Arlington, Ohio native connected on 7-of-14 from the field and hit all six of her free throw attempts. She has scored in double-figures in three-straight, leading Trine in scoring in each contest. The win improves the Thunder to 1-4 on the season. Anderson falls to 0-4.
Kelsey Henselmeier added eight points, four assists and a pair of blocks for Trine. Lauren Tait hit all four of her attempts from the field for an eight-point night. The Thunder forced Anderson into 30 turnovers, which Trine converted into 25 points. Trine shot 40 percent from the field (23-of-57) and hit 14-of-20 (70 percent) from the free throw line.
Cori Connor led Anderson with 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting. Nyomi Deifel notched a game-high 12 rebounds to go along with six points. The Ravens hit 10-of-16 free throw attempts (63 percent).
An early 8-0 run by Trine gave the Thunder the lead for good. Back-to-back layups by Tait gave Trine their first lead at 6-4 with 16:23 to play in the first half. A jumper and a pair of free throws by Recker pushed the score to 10-4. Trine would not trail the rest of the way. The Thunder held the Ravens without a field goal for a near-seven minute stretch in the first half, during which Trine pushed their lead from 17-10 to 25-12.
Trine would go on to lead by as much as 32 after a Taylor Cole layup made the score 58-26 with 2:18 to play. The Thunder held Anderson without a field goal for a second seven-minute stretch in the second half.
Trine returns to action Saturday, Dec. 7 when the Thunder open MIAA play at home against Calvin. Tip-off is slated for 3:00 p.m.