ANGOLA, Ind. – Three players scored in double figures to help the #18/24 Trine University Women's Basketball team pull away late from #22/15 Hope for a 76-66 statement win. Sidney Wagner had a 21-point 10-rebound double-double, while Katie Tate and Sierra Hinds added 15 and 14 points, respectively. The Thunder are now 12-2 and sit alone atop the MIAA standings at 5-0. The Dutch drop to 11-3 and 4-1 in the MIAA. The two will meet in Holland, Mich. on February 15^th for the regular season rematch.
 
Trine took control early, scoring the first basket on their way to a 9-3 lead. Wagner scored the opening basket and would then assist Erin Sherwood before grabbing a steal that led to a three point play from Tate. The Dutch would close the gap to 11-10, Hinds then hit her first of three triples to spark another 9-3 Thunder run. Trine would score 14 of their 22 first quarter points in the paint and finish with 42, along with a 37-28 rebounding advantage to solidify a dominant performance in the front court.
 
Allison Capouch hit a timely three pointer in the middle of the second quarter to give Trine a 10 point edge. The Dutch would answer by leveling the score at 31 behind a 12-2 run. Sherwood gave Trine a halftime lead with a layup just inside a minute to play.
 
Hope would reclaim the lead for the first time since the early part of the first quarter with a triple to open the second half. Trine answered quickly, down 37-33, Wagner made a jumper and Jada Rhonehouse found Tate in the paint for two more. Wagner added two free throws and an assist to Capouch, who hit another triple and the Thunder quickly found themselves on a 13-0 run. Hope would not go away, erasing the 46-37 lead to 50-48 by the end of the third quarter.
 
Hinds knocked in her final two triples to open the final frame and give the Thunder a two possession lead. With 1:40 left, Trine led 65-60. Wagner made an and-one attempt, on the ensuing Hope possession Sierra Hinds came up with a steal and went coast to coast to give Trine a 10 point advantage. Trine would convert their final six free throw attempts to take the win 76-66.
 
The Thunder hit the road next week for games at Adrian on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and at Kalamazoo on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.