ANGOLA, Ind.-- Despite trailing by 14 points at halftime and coughing up the ball 22 times in the contest, Trine (1-5, 0-1 MIAA) closed the gap to within three in the final 20 seconds before two free throws by Calvin (5-2, 2-1 MIAA) sealed the deal for the Knights.
The Thunder's shooting kept them in the game; shooting 45.5% overall thanks to a standout performance by junior guard Kelsey Henselmeier (Martinsville, Ind./Martinsville). Henselmeier, made her first seven field goal attempts on her way to a career-best 22 points to go with 5 rebounds and 2 assists. Calvin shot just 32.3% for the game, but had 17 more field goal attempts after winning the offensive rebound battle 19 to 7.
The game was a back and forth affair early on, with Trine leading narrowly for the first six minutes before an 8-3 stretch by the Knights pulled them ahead for good. Calvin also had a big 19-7 in a span of six minutes late in the first half that put them up 38-24 with 1:35 remaining. After swapping points in the final 95 seconds, the Thunder trailed 40-26 at the end of the first twenty minutes.
Rather than fading away, the Thunder fought back and chipped at the lead throughout the second half. After getting outrebounded by 9 in the first half, they finished with only one less rebound in the second. They continued to get consistent offensive production from Henselmeier and sophomore forward Alivia Recker (Arlington, Ohio/Arlington), who scored 7 points in each half. Trine's team effort wore down Calvin in the paint, picking up a 20-8 advantage.
In the closing minutes, two Henselmeier free throws cut the deficit inside double digits to 8, 59-51, with 5:19 remaining. Henselmeier came back on the next possession and hit a layup. Recker stole the ball and hit a jumper and now the lead was down to 5. Calvin missed a three pointer, and Henselmeier nailed two throws after being fouled on her drive to the basket. Suddenly, it was a one-possession game with 2:09 to play, 61-58 Calvin.
Calvin would extend the lead to six thanks to racking up three offensive rebounds in a single possession. Now with 26 seconds left to play and trailing 66-60, the Thunder pushed the ball down the floor and set up Alivia Recker, who delivered on a three point bomb that cut the Knights lead in half.
Trine trapped the inbound pass, and the double team nearly forced the pivotal turnover they need to try to tie the game. After a timeout was called and Calvin regrouped, they were able to inbound successfully and the Thunder were forced to foul. Calvin hit both free throws, the Thunder missed a layup opportunity, and that was the last opportunity for Trine as the clock ran out.
Trine is on the road for the next five contests, which begins next Saturday in a MIAA conference game against St. Mary's at 3:00 p.m.