ANGOLA, Ind. – The #20 Trine University Women's Basketball team earned a gritty 54-42 win over Calvin inside the MTI Center on Wednesday night. Sidney Wagner led the Thunder, who are now 5-1, with 15 points. Calvin falls to 3-5 with the loss.
 
Jada Rhonehouse pitched in 10 points and 5 rebounds while Erin Sherwood nearly posted a double double with nine points and nine rebounds.
 
A physical defensive struggle was the name of the game all night, Calvin opened up an 8-3 lead midway through the first quarter, but Trine would finish the quarter with an 11-0 run, Wagner made back to back midrange jumpers and Allison Capouch nailed a triple. Hailey Cole then converted a three point play with 2 seconds remaining.
 
The run spilled over into the early part of the second quarter as the Thunder scored the first four points to take an 18-8 advantage. Trine scored nine of their 13 points from the charity stripe in the frame. Olivia Marks made two separate pairs, while Rhonehouse made three and Katie Tate also knocked in a pair. Trine held a 27-21 lead at the break.
 
Trine relied on their defense in the third period to maintain their lead. The Thunder only managed six points but nine defensive rebounds kept the Knights offensive attack to a minimum. Trine would outrebound Calvin 41-32 on the evening.
 
Calvin cut the Thunder lead to four with just over eight minutes remaining but they would get no closer Trine would score the next five with more free throws from Rhonehouse and Sierra Hinds, Sherwood added a layup. Calvin then rallied to within five, again the Thunder would answer stretching the lead back to eight with more free throws. The Knights made one final rally with under two minutes to play but Wagner answered with four consecutive points to put the game out of reach.
 
Trine heads to Albion on Saturday, December 7^th for a 1 p.m. tip off with the Britons.