OLIVET, Mich. – Coming off a short rest from Monday's game, the Trine University men's basketball team toppled Olivet College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play on Wednesday 75-68.
The Thunder (8-5, 2-1 MIAA) exit the three games in five days stretch with a 2-1 record after the seven-point victory over the Comets (4-10, 1-2 MIAA). Trine got to the free throw line for 26 opportunities opposed to Olivet's five chances at the charity stripe. The Thunder also forced 16 turnovers that led to 22 points.
Bryce Williams [Archbold, Ohio / Archbold] scored five of the Thunder's first seven points in an even contest through three minutes. Williams knocked down his first shot from long range early, and would end the night with six makes from distance. An 8-0 run for Olivet would give the Comets a 15-7 lead and Trine had to take a timeout to regroup.
Williams would continue his hot shooting night with seven consecutive points in a 30-second span from 13:15 to 12:45, and another three at the 10-minute mark in the period made it 21-20 Comets. Nick Bowman [Angola, Ind. / Hamilton Southeastern] made a lay-up and took a steal for a dunk on the other end of the floor to spark seven straight from the senior and give the Thunder the lead, 27-21.
Emmanuel Megnanglo [Cotonou, Benin / Amelia Academy] rocked the rim with a dunk with five minutes to go in the half to extend the lead. An and-one by Brent Cox [Kendallville, Ind. / East Noble] helped contribute to a 43-38 halftime lead.
The Thunder scored the first eight points of the second half, capped by a Megnanglo dunk plus the foul to take a 51-38 lead with 17:31 to play. Mitchell Geller [Huntington, Ind. / Huntington North] converted an and-one and gave Trine their largest lead of the game at 60-46 with 12 minutes on the clock.
Olivet attempted to comeback, but makes by Aiden Warzecha [Milford, Mich. / Milford] and Brent Cox thwarted the efforts. A steal from Geller and three-point field goal by Bowman helped to expand the lead back to double digits 69-58 with four minutes left.
It was once again Bowman taking advantage of a turnover on the offensive end for a dunk in the final minute to polish off a 75-68 win.
Bowman and Williams were the high scorers with 27 and 21 points. While scoring a season-high, Bowman was 9-for-18 from the field and grabbed five rebounds, dished out four assists and was credited with three steals. Williams hit six shots from long range, tying his career-best.
Trine returns home on Saturday, January 15 for Community Day. It's free admission for the men's and women's doubleheader versus Kalamazoo College, with the women's game tipping off at 1 pm and the men after at 3 pm.