ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University women's basketball team was victorious in their 12th straight game and 10th consecutive Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) contest Saturday on Senior Day when the Thunder played host to Calvin University. The final score read 65-47.
The Thunder (20-2, 13-1 MIAA) held a huge rebounding advantage (48-30) and shot 8-of-14 (57.1%) from long range in the victory. The Knights (16-7, 9-5 MIAA) shot just 1-of-5 (20.0%) from the free throw line and 21-of-57 (36.8%) from the field.
After a scoreless first trip down the floor, Trine scored on their next five possessions to claim a 12-7 lead. Senior Kayla Wildman [Rockford, Mich. / Rockford] had seven points on two makes from deep in that span.
Makes by senior Tara Bieniewicz [Chesterfield, Mich. / Dakota] and Alyssa Argyle [Freeland, Mich. / Freeland] from three worked to extend the first quarter lead for the home team to double digits. Sidney Wagner [Warsaw, Ind. / Tippecanoe Valley] had six points herself in the final two minutes of action to give the Thunder a 24-11 advantage.
Senior Natalee Kunse [Clare, Mich. / Clare] was a part of makes for Trine on the first two possessions of the second period. Kunse assisted a basket by fellow senior Kelsy Taylor [Louisville, Ky. / New Albany] and scored herself on an offensive rebound to go up 26-11. Wildman and senior Kaylee Argyle [Freeland, Mich. / Freeland] knocked down back-to-back three's to complete a 12-0 run.
Kunse, who was been recovering from an injury suffered earlier this season, was working to be able to see the floor on senior day and made the most of her opportunity when she got to take the floor, "Everyone has been so supportive and I want to thank Coach Rang for the opportunity today and Kyle (Trine's Head Athletic Trainer) for getting me ready to come back."
The defense settled in down the stretch, but Makayla Ardis [Lake City, Mich. / Lake City] was able to end the first half strong by hitting a three and turning a Sam Underhill [Grand Rapids, Mich. / Northview] into two points on the offensive end of the floor.
The 44-21 lead at the half for the Thunder was accredited to 22 points from the bench unit compared to zero for the Knights.
Senior Rachel Stewart [Pekin, Ind. / Eastern] notched the first score in the second half and kept Trine's offense rolling in the third quarter. Unfortunately, the energy of that plus a Taylor and-one would not last long. The Thunder scored just five points over the final eight minutes and change, but the defense stayed tough and kept Calvin at bey.
The teams went into the fourth quarter with Trine holding a 54-31 lead. The senior duo of Taylor and Kaylee Argyle scored points on the first three possessions for the Thunder in the fourth, but again the offense would go cold as the stretch went on. Trine scored four points over the final eight minutes, with Alyssa Argyle scoring the only field goal at the five-minute mark in a 65-47 victory.
Wildman and Taylor finished in double figures with 10 points each and Stewart filled the stat sheet with six points, and team-highs in rebounds (7) and steals (4).
The final regular season home game for the Thunder women's basketball team is on Wednesday, February 16 when Trine hosts Saint Mary's College. Tip-off at MTI Center is set for 7:30 pm.
