ANGOLA, Ind. - After leading by double-digits in the first half, the Trine University men's basketball team came back from five points down in the second half to win their MIAA opener 67-64 over Kalamazoo. The win improves the Thunder to 8-4 on the year.

Initially it was the Hornets who jumped out to the early lead, taking a six point advantage twice in the first five minutes. But with the game tied at 15 with 11 minutes and 6 seconds to play, the Thunder began make a run where they would out-score Kalamazoo 19-7 to take their largest lead of the game at 34-22. The Hornets would claw their way back though, as Trine led by just seven, 38-31 at the break. The key for Trine in the first half was turnovers, as they scored 12 points off seven Kalamazoo errors.

Just like at the start of the game, the Hornets made a run to open the second half to take a three point lead, 43-40, 5:50 into the period. After a back-and-forth battle, the Hornets would push their lead to five with 9:50 to play. This time however, it would be Trine with the comeback tying the game at 51 with 7:26 to go.

After trading baskets, the Thunder would make two consecutive baskets and freshman Jared Holmquist (Reed City, Mich./Reed City) would hit a pair of free throws to give Trine a 59-53 advantage with 5:05 to play. Kalamazoo would answer back with a three and a pair of free throws to pull within one with 3:00 to play, but that would be the closest they would get. Although Trine was unable to make a field goal for nearly five minutes of play, the Thunder defense also held the Hornets without a field goal for nearly the same period of time. Trine senior Ian Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) would make four free throws and a jumper in the final 1:31 to hold off the Hornets.

Jackson finished the night with a season- and game-high 37 points, just one shy of tying a career high. Jackson hit 14-of-26 from the floor, both season highs, on the night while also leading the Thunder with three assists and grabbing seven rebounds. Holmquist and senior Scott Rogers (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) each added eight points and two blocks on the night. Rogers also led the Thunder with a game-high nine rebounds.

During the game, Jackson also scored his 1,500 career point, and moved into ninth place all-time in Trine University history with his current total of 1,518.

The Thunder were able to convert off Kalamazoo turnovers all night, forcing 12 of them into 20 points. Trine finishing the night hitting 45.5% from the floor (25-of-55) while the Hornets made 23-of-63 (36.5%).

Trine will take just a day off before returning to action on January 5 when they travel to Alma for a 3:00 p.m. game.