HOLLAND, Mich. - An early lead wasn't enough for the third seeded Trine University men's basketball team to knock off the number two seed Hope College as the Thunder fell 76-63. The squad ends their season with a 14-12 record.

Trine got things started on their first possession of the game with a basket by junior Todd Watkins (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Bernard). Hope would answer with a basket of their own. The two sides would trade baskets early as freshman Nick Tatu (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) hit a pair of three's for the Thunder. Trine would take their largest lead of the game at 20-14 with 11:34 to play.

The Thunder lead wouldn't last long as the Flying Dutchmen would come back to score six straight and tie it at 20 with 9:37 to play. Trine would score back-to-back buckets of their own to re-take the lead, but once again Hope would rally to tie the game with 5:50 to play.

Hope would take their first lead of the game with 2:59 to play. Senior Ian Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) would hit a pair of free throws with just 2.5 seconds left to pull the Thunder within three at 38-35 at halftime.

Trine shot 50% from the floor in the first half hitting 15-of-30.

The two teams traded baskets to open the second half before Hope would score seven straight to take a 49-39 lead with 15:33 to play. The Thunder would score five straight of their own to cut into the Flying Dutchmen lead. Hope would go on another seven point run to push their lead to 13 points. Tatu would drill a three with 6:17 left in the game to pull the Thunder within six at 62-56 but that would be as close as they would get it as Hope pulled away in the end.

Jackson along with fellow senior Scott Rogers (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) and junior Tyler Good (Swanton, Ohio/Evergreen) led the Thunder with 12 points on the night. The 12 points by Good was also a career-high. Tatu finished the night with nine points, all from long distance. Fellow freshman Jared Holmquist (Reed City, Mich./Reed City) added eight points and led the Thunder with seven rebounds. Sophomore Dustin Hall (Fort Wayne, Ind./South Side) led all players with a game-high five assists.

For the night, the two sides shot nearly identical numbers as Trine made 25-of-61 (41%) from the floor while Hope connected on 26-of-63 (41.3%). Much like their previous meeting, Hope was able to convert on their free throw opportunities as they made 23-of-31 chances while the Thunder made 10-of-19.