OLIVET, Mich. – The Trine University women's basketball team overcame a poor shooting night on the road to defeat The University of Olivet in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) action on Wednesday night by a score of 55-40.
The Thunder now sit at 13-4 overall and have navigated a 7-1 record the first time through the league table. The Comets drop to 6-11 and 3-5.
A slow moving first period saw an 8-6 score in favor of Trine. Katie Tate netted the first field goal for the team nearly four minutes into the contest with an and-one. Sidney Wagner buried a free throw to draw even at four apiece at the halfway point. Allison Capouch and Allie Walther sunk two free throws each as the quarter came to a close.
The Thunder were finally able to take the lid off the rim with field goals by Abby Sanner and Sierra Hinds to go up 14-8 with 6:36 remaining in the half. Tiana Maat found Capouch for the team's first made attempt from deep a few minutes later, but at the break, it would be just a one-point lead at 18-17.
A little run by the home team gave the Comets a second half lead at 26-22, but the team's leading scorers in Wagner and Hinds began to shine in the middle stages of the third. An Erin Sherwood layup helped get the Thunder to the fourth quarter ahead 34-30.
Tate opened the fourth period with a basket that helped provide the fuel for a 21-10 win in the quarter. Hinds would sink her second shot from distance to give Trine some breathing room at 43-31 with seven minutes to play. One final push by Olivet would bring them to within seven with four minutes on the clock, but the final few minutes would be a parade of shots from the charity stripe for the Thunder to pull away, 55-40.
Trine was 15-for-54 (27.8%) from the field in total and 4-for-24 (16.7%) from three, but had a huge edge on free throws. The Comets were just 4-of-13 while the Thunder went 21-of-35. The team used 25 Olivet turnovers to secure the win. Wagner (14 points), Tate (12 points) and Hinds (10 points) were in double figures and Sanner led the way in rebounding with nine.
The road trip continues for Trine on Saturday, January 20 when the team travels to Albion College to take on the Britons beginning at 3 p.m.