ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's basketball team come from behind in the second half to top the Alma College Scot by a score of 67-59 on Saturday afternoon. The Thunder used a balance scoring attack with four different student-athletes reaching double figures, including Connor Jones (16), Nate Carbaugh (12), Aidan Smylie (11) and Grant Pahl (10).
The Thunder improve their record to 19-2 in the 2022-23 season, with a 9-1 mark in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). The Scots falter to 5-16 overall and 2-8 in conference play.
An eight-point lead was the largest that either of the teams would get out to, and the dogfight was underway right from the start. Brent Cox knocked down a three as the Scots began the game in a 2-3 zone. Trine tried to shoot their way over the top of it in the opening minutes, but it was when they worked the ball to the high post and into the paint area that the team had success.
A dunk by Cox after crashing the offensive glass led to a 13-2 scoring run that gave the Thunder the lead at 25-18 with less than six minutes to play in the first half. Pahl nailed a signature mid-range jump shot to complete the scoring run.
Ten straight points down the stretch allowed Alma to reclaim the advantage momentarily, but a three by Smylie just before the first half buzzer tied the game up at 28 at halftime. An uncharacteristic 8-4 difference in turnovers in favor of the opponents through 20 minutes gave the Scots hope for an upset.
Minor injuries in the opening minutes of the second half caused odd numbered opportunities for the Scots as they jumped out to a 36-29 lead. Carbaugh grabbed multiple offensive rebounds as the home team creeped back into the picture and Cameron Awls tied the game up at 41 with a mid-range jump shot eight minutes in. Awls was also a key contributor when starters went to the bench for injuries earlier in the period.
A steal by Emmanuel Megnanglo allowed Ryan Preston to find Pahl for a layup to complete a 10-0 run and force a timeout from Alma while they were trailing 48-43. A steal by Carbaugh led to a highlight reel dunk in the open floor to spark the MTI crowd and put the team ahead 51-46.
Following a short scoreless drought, Smylie buried a huge three to extend the lead to two possessions after two Trine offensive rebounds. That put the Thunder up six, and successful free throw shooting for the remainder of the contest allowed Trine to pull away to the 67-59 victory.
Adding on to the fact that Jones led the team in scoring, he also distributed eight assists. Smylie was the team leader in rebounds with nine, while Megnanglo had eight boards.
The Thunder are on the road for two huge MIAA games next week, beginning with a midweek affair with Hope College. Trine and Hope square off on Wednesday, February 8 at 5:30 p.m.