NORTH MANCHESTER, Ind. – The Trine University men's basketball team extended their winning streak to three games with a 66-54 victory on the road against Manchester University this afternoon. The Thunder (7-3) were led by Danny Flood with 13 points as they battled past shooting woes with a strong defensive effort to top the Spartans (2-9, 2-2 HCAC).
 
Both teams struggled shooting the ball, Trine finished 35.3% from the floor and 19.0% from the three point line. The Spartans were 33.3% and 16.7%. Where Trine shined was with a 45-38 rebounding advantage and a 10-of-12 mark at the free throw line. Trine assisted on 16 of 24 made field goals and forced 14 turnovers.
 
The game was close through the early portion of the first half. Trevon Rochester-Thomas scored five of Trine's first 10, including a three pointer that tied the game at 8. Nate Tucker broke a 10-10 tie with a layup that started a 10-2 run by the guests, Trine scored all 10 in the paint by five different players. Cade Brenner made a jumper as part of his seven points, he led the team with eight rebounds. Eddie Millington closed the run with a coast-to-coast fastbreak lay-in. Brenner pushed the lead to nine with a long ball. He then found Elias Lewis on a back door alley-oop and the Thunder led 28-19 at the half.
 
Trine quickly pushed the lead to 14 out of halftime. Logan McKenzie made three free throws while Brenner, Jess Roller, and Jayden Bradshaw all made baskets on their own. With eight minutes to play, Manchester had trimmed the lead to seven at 43-36. Logan McKenzie led a quick series that pushed the lead back to a dozen. First, he found Elias Lewis for a triple and then grabbed a steal that Jayden Bradshaw scored on the fastbreak. Danny Flood scored ten of his 13 in just two minutes of game time. He first converted a pair of free throws and then nailed back-to-back three pointers that gave Trine a 58-44 lead, he closed his scoring outburst with a second pair of free throws. Paxton Crane scored his first career basket in the closing minute as Trine wrapped up their third consecutive triumph.
 
The Thunder close non-conference play with a trip to Crawfordsville, Indiana to take on Wabash College at 2 p.m. on Saturday.