MINNEAPOLIS -- The Trine women's basketball team made its return to the national rankings, earning the No. 23 spot in the latest D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll released this evening.
The Thunder made its return to the rankings after a two-week hiatus and earned the team's best national ranking as a member of NCAA Division III. Trine received votes in each of the last two polls. The team earned 96 points in the poll after earning 36 in last week's poll. Last week, the Thunder defeated Calvin 54-46 last week to improve to 18-2 overall and 11-1 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. The 11 conference wins represent the most Trine has earned as a member of the league.
Click Here for D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll.
Strong defensive play has remained a key to the success of the Thunder this season. Trine is allowing 48.4 points per game, the ninth-best mark in the nation. The team has held seven of its last eight opponents below 50 points. The Thunder have held opponents to a 33.7 field goal percentage, the second-best mark in the MIAA.
Trine has scored at one of the most efficient rates in the nation, shooting 45.6 percent from the field. That mark ranks seventh in the nation. The Thunder lead the MIAA in free throws made and free throw percentage. The scoring efficiency, combined with the defensive effort, has led to Trine owning a +24.0-point scoring margin. That margin is the fourth-best in Division III.
Brandi Dawson's (Garrett, Ind. / Garrett) is shooting 54 percent from the field, the 36th-best mark in the nation and second in the MIAA. Dawson averages a team-best 15.5 points per game. Hayley Martin (Auburn, Ind. / DeKalb) adds 14.5 points on an efficient 49.4 percent shooting clip. Martin's 2.25 blocks per game ranks 45th in the nation and second in the MIAA.
Trine returns to action Wednesday, Feb. 8 when the team travels to Adrian. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. A win would give the Thunder 19 on the season and tie the program's best effort since joining NCAA Division III in 2004.
The team will host Hoopla Community Day this Saturday, Feb. 11 at 1 p.m. in Hershey Hall. Trine will honor senior Taylor Cole (Mount Pleasant, Mich. / Shepherd) prior to the final regular-season home game of her Thunder career. Cole ranks sixth in school history in steals.
In addition to Senior Day festivities, Hoopla Community Day will feature free admission, giveaways and other perks for fans. CLICK HERE for more information on the event.