ANGOLA, Ind. - In a battle of the top two teams in the conference, the Trine University men's basketball team let a seven point second half lead slip away as they fell to #21 Calvin College 56-43. The Thunder drop to 11-6 on the season and 4-2 in the MIAA.

The game started as an all-out defensive battle as the two sides combined for just 10 points through the opening 10 minutes of the game. The Thunder started the game on a 9-0 run before finally allowing a Calvin field goal at 10:01. Calvin would score seven straight points to cut the Trine lead to just two. From there, the two sides traded baskets through the rest of the half as neither team was able to distance themselves. Calvin would tie the game for the first time as they hit a layup as time expired as they headed to the locker rooms tied 23-23.

Trine opened the second half on an 11-4 run over the first four minute to push their lead to seven. It wouldn't last long though as Calvin went on a nine point run of their own to take their first lead of the game with 10:24 to play. The Thunder battled back though as senior Scott Rogers (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) hit a jumper and a free throw to give Trine back the lead. That would be the final time though as the Knights hit back-to-back three's to give them a five point lead they would never relinquish. Trine's offense would go silent for nearly five minutes down the stretch. Rogers would end the drought trying to keep the Thunder in it, scoring a jumper, free throw and a three-pointer in consecutive possessions, but Trine would again be held scoreless in the final 2:38 of the game.

Rogers led the Thunder with 14 points and also grabbing five rebounds. Freshman Jared Holmquist (Reed City, Mich./Reed City) was the only other Trine player to reach double-figured, scoring 10 points and leading the Thunder with eight rebounds. Junior Todd Watkins (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Bernard) added eight points for the Thunder. Senior Ian Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) and sophomore Tyler Good (Swanton, Ohio/Evergreen) led Trine with three assists each.

For the game, Trine actually made more field goals than the Knights (18-to-17) but Calvin converted on 16-of-19 free throws compared to just 5-of-9 for the Thunder.

Two of the top four leading scorers in the MIAA, Jackson and Calvin's Tom Snikkers, were held to a combined 11 points. The two came into the game averaging 24 and 18 points per game respectively. The Thunder also held Calvin to a season-low in points.

Trine will look to stay in the conference hunt when they travel to Hope on January 23 for an 8:00 p.m. game.