ANGOLA, Ind.-- The Trine women's basketball team turned in its best defensive effort of the season as the Thunder defeated Saint Mary's, 71-40 in MIAA-action Saturday afternoon in Hershey Hall.
Trine held the Belles to just a 27.4 percent (17-of-62) effort from the field. The field goal percentage was lowest allowed by the Thunder this season, as was the 40-point scoring effort for SMC. Hayley Martin (Auburn, Ind./DeKalb) scored 16 points on 7-of-12 shooting to lead all scorers in the game. Trine got a 33 point effort from its bench as every Thunder player scored in the game. Trine improved to 5-3 overall and evened its conference record at 2-2 with the victory. The Thunder have won its last two games by an average of 36 points. Saint Mary's fell to 1-9 overall, 1-3 in MIAA play.
For the second consecutive game, the Thunder were able to score efficiently as Trine shot 50 percent (29-of-58) from the field. Brandi Dawson (Garrett, Ind./Garrett) continued her streak of scoring in double-figures in every game this season, scoring 10 points and coming away with five rebounds, two assists and four steals. Taylor Cole (Mount Pleasant, Mich./Shepherd) dished out five assists for the second-straight game.
Whitney Shaffer (Tipton, Ind./Tri-Central) paced the effort of the bench with 12 points coming on four threes. The senior knocked down 4-of-9 from long-distance. Montana Martin (Columbia City, Ind./Churubusco) added a career-high seven points, while Cassidy Williams (Archbold, Ohio/Archbold) dished out a career-high four assists.
Erin Maloney paced the Belles with nine points. Trine was able to hold SMC leading scorers Krista Knapke and Eleni Shea to a combined six points on 3-of-19 shooting. The Thunder also outscored the Belles 17-0 on the fast break.
Trine held SMC to a 25 percent shooting effort in the first half. The Thunder took the better part of the first quarter to get the offense rolling, as a short jumper by Montana Martin gave Trine a 10-8 advantage to close out the scoring in the first 10 minutes.
The Thunder would score the first eight points of the second quarter to cap off a 13-0 run. Nine of those points were contributed by players coming off the Trine bench. The Thunder would outscore the Belles 21-6 overall in the second quarter to take a 31-14 lead into the half.
Trine scored the first five points of the second half to push the lead above 20. The Belles would get no closer than 16 the rest of the way.
The Thunder travel to Heidelberg Saturday, Dec. 19 for a matchup with the Student Princes, who enter the week 5-3 overall. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.