Angola, Ind. – Trine defeated Oberlin, 57-41, in its home opener Tuesday night at Hershey Hall. The Thunder improved to 2-1 overall and Oberlin falls to 1-2 overall.
Trine's lockdown defense held Oberlin to 36.5 percent (19-of-52) shooting for the game. The Thunder defense converted 22 turnovers into 19 points. The 41 points allowed was the lowest Trine has allowed all season. Hayley Martin (Auburn, Ind. / DeKalb) shot 9-of-17 from the floor for 22 points and had five rebounds. Martin had three blocks on the night, giving her 50 blocks in her career. Brandi Dawson (Garrett, Ind. / Garrett) contributed to the offense with 10 points.
Oberlin's Tyler Parlor had a double-double on the night with 11 points and 12 rebounds.
The Yeowomen took the lead early and held it going into the second quarter 12-9. Oberlin's 13 rebounds to Trine's five allowed the Yeowomen to win the first quarter.
After a slow start, the Thunder were able out score Oberlin 20-12 in the second by shooting 53.8 percent (7-of-13). Trine's defense forced 10 turnovers that the Thunder converted into 13 points in the first half. Martin and Dawson were key scorers in the first half for the Thunder, as Martin led the way with 12 points and Dawson added 10 points. Trine led Oberlin 29-24 going into halftime.
Trine's stingy defense kept Oberlin from scoring a point in a span of 5:28, and held them to shooting 23.1 percent (3-of-13) in the third quarter. Trine was able to go on an 8-0 run to push the lead to double digits for the first time. The Thunder led going into the final quarter 42-30.
An efficient 50 percent (6-of-12) shooting effort in the final quarter helped Trine seal the win. Martin and Shaely Duff (Greenfield, Ind. / Mt. Vernon) each knocked down threes in the fourth quarter. The Thunder forced six turnovers in the final 10 minutes.
Kayla Freeman (Battle Creek, Mich. / Battle Creek Central) made her first career start for the Thunder and had six points on the night.
Trine returns to action Saturday, Nov. 26 when the Thunder travel to Anderson University for a non-conference game. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Article courtesy Cody Konieczki, Trine University, Communications New Media '17
