ALBION, Mich. - It was a tough night for the Trine University men's basketball team as they dropped their first overtime game of the season 73-68 to Albion College. The loss drops the Thunder to 14-8 on the season and 7-4 in the MIAA.

After both teams were shutout through the opening three minutes, Trine senior Scott Rogers (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) hit the opening bucket before the two teams began to battle it out. For nearly 6 minutes of play, the Thunder and Britons traded baskets as neither team could break through. Finally with 11:42 to play in the half, the Thunder would score 13 straight points to take a 12 point lead. After Albion ended their drought, senior Ian Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) nailed a three to give the Thunder their largest lead of the game at 30-17.

From there, Trine's offense would score just two points in the final 5:48 as Albion closed out the half on a 14-2 run as the Thunder led 32-31 heading into the break.

Albion would make the first shot of the second half as they took their first lead of the game since early on in the first half. After trading baskets and with the score tied, the Britons would hit a three-pointer to re-take the lead. The offenses would go quiet again as both teams were shutout over a 4:01 period of play.

Jackson would end the drought, giving Trine the lead back with 11:34 to play in the game. Jackson would put the Thunder out in front as he was fouled on a three-point try and made all three of the ensuing free throws. Albion once again battled back as the two teams traded baskets through the final 9:58 of the game.

After the Britons hit a pair of free throws, Rogers would make the front-end of a pair of free throws to tie the game at 60 with 1:49 to play in the game.

With just 9.1 seconds remaining the Thunder called a timeout to setup their final shot. Jackson took a jumper with the clock winding down, but was off target as the ball clanked off the rim to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, Albion would score the first points of the extra period. After a Trine free throw, the Britons would add another basket to go up by three. Rogers though would hit a pair of free throws to pull the Thunder within one. After Trine committed a foul, Albion would convert on both free throws to go up again by three. Sophomore Dustin Hall (Fort Wayne, Ind./South Side) would respond with his first basket of the game with a runner in the lane. Albion would put the dagger into the Thunder as they hit a three with 53 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, the Thunder would be unable to find the bottom of the net as they were forced to foul Albion, who then converted on two free throws. Albion would hit another pair of free throws to cement the game.

Jackson led the Thunder with a game-high 23 points on 7-of-15 shooting. Freshman Nick Tatu (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) scored 15 points on the night off the bench for Trine. Fellow freshman Jared Holmquist (Reed City, Mich./Reed City) added in 13 points and five rebounds. Rogers also scored in double-figures, adding 11 points while grabbing five rebounds, dishing out three assists and nabbing a game-high three steals. Making his second straight start for the Thunder, junior Todd Watkins (Cincinnati, Ohio/St. Bernard) led the team with seven rebounds. Hall recorded his second straight game with double-digits assists with 12, which was also a season- and game-high.

With his first field goal of the game, Jackson took over 5th place on Trine's all-time scorers list, breaking a tie with Jeff Hossler. The game marks the 12th time this season that Jacksons has scored 20-plus points. The 12 assists by Hall is tied for the most by a Trine player since joining the MIAA, matching Deon Thompson who also recorded 12 against Hope on February 21, 2009.

Trine will look to clinch at least the third seed in the MIAA tournament when they travel to Olivet on February 9 for a 3:00 p.m. game.