ANGOLA, Ind. – Drew Panning posted a career high 17 points and 14 rebounds but was unable to lead the Trine University Men's Basketball team past his former squad on Wednesday night inside the MTI Center. The Student Princes (4-3) scored 62 points in the second half to defeat the Thunder (4-3) 97-85.
 
Five Thunder scored in double figures, but second half shooting woes ultimately doomed the Thunder. Marcos Vazquez led all scorers with 22 points for the Student Princes.
 
The first half was all Thunder, Trine opened a 9-0 lead to start the game and held Heidelberg scoreless over the first four minutes of game time. The Student Princes cut the lead to four twice but the hosts had all the answers, controlling the glass and converting on nearly 50% of their shots in the early portion of the half. Panning made a pair of tip in layups as part of his seven offensive rebounds and Cade Brenner knocked in two triples as Trine built leads as large as fifteen in the first half. Panning sent home an alley-oop off a dime from Brenner and then notched a free throw to give Trine a 42-26 lead, their largest of the game. Heidelberg made a run  to close the half, cutting the lead to seven before trailing 45-35 at the break. Elias Lewis made two triples in the first half and was fouled on a third and knocked in all three shots from the stripe.
 
The Student Princes seized the momentum in the second half making 53.3% of their field goals and 26/31 of their free throws. The lead dwindled to as few as one in the early portion of the second half but Trine was able to hold the lead until the halfway mark of the period with the Berg tying the game with 9:59 left in the half. Panning grabbed three boards including one that resulted in a put-back dunk to maintain the lead for Trine. The Student Princes made a layup to take a lead they would not surrender and quickly extended it to ten points behind a three pointer and a barrage of free throws. The guests led by as many as twelve before Trine mounted a small rally to trail by only five. Panning scored a pair and Brenner knocked in a triple and Logan McKenzie scored three from the stripe a Trine got within striking distance.
 
Heidelberg made ten straight free throws to close out the contest and prevent the Thunder from rallying for a heroic comeback. Nate Tucker knocked in a triple with 36 seconds left to cut the lead to six but the Student Princes scored the final six to take the win.
 
Trine will travel to Daytona Beach, Fla. for their next contest at the Mauro Panaggio Tournament against Washington and Lee.