Box Score ANGOLA, Ind. – The #11 Trine University men's basketball celebrated senior day with a resounding 89-55 defeat of the University of Olivet inside the MTI Center on Saturday afternoon.
Drew Moore knocked in five triples for a game high 24 points as the Thunder moved to 20-3 (10-2 MIAA), Olivet is now 8-15 (6-6 MIAA).
An afternoon honoring the seniors turned into a game dominated by those same seniors. Moore poured in 24 points and 5 steals,
Aidan Smylie nearly had a double-double with 12 points and 9 rebounds,
Emmanuel Megnanglo pitched in 9 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 blocks.
Cameron Awls had the finest outing of his season, scoring 4 points to go with 5 assists, 5 steals, and 3 rebounds in 17 minutes. Trine forced 27 Comet turnovers and grabbed 19 steals, the Thunder shot 50.7% from the floor and 41.6% from the three point line.
The Thunder trailed early before taking a 10-8 lead, Olivet again took control and ultimately took a 30-22 lead with 5 minutes to play in the first half. Moore and
Nate Tucker kept Trine close with some three point sharpshooting, Moore hit one and Tucker added a pair and an assist to Megnanglo for a two handed jam. Moore sparked a 15-2 run to close the half, taking two steals the length of the floor on consecutive possessions. An Awls steal led to another Megnanglo dunk with help from an exceptional pass through the lane by Tucker. Awls then leveled the score after grabbing a defensive rebound, slicing through the Comet defense and putting in a tough left handed layup. Moore hit a pair of free throws and Smylie capped the half with a lay in before burying a corner triple in front of the Comet bench.
The run did not end there, Smylie opened the second half with a bucket and Awls added another with a transition jumper off yet another steal. Moore blew the game wide open with back to back long balls to give Trine a 49-34 lead. He added another just two minutes later, then he grabbed his fifth steal and sent it ahead to
Grant Pahl, Pahl got the ball to Megnanglo in the paint who sent home his third dunk of the night. Moore capped off his senior night with his fifth and final three pointer, giving Trine a 72-44 lead. Trine subbed out their seniors one by one, each to a large ovation, ultimately leaving Megnanglo on the floor as the last man standing. He came into the front court and set a screen for
Jayce Cusack, Cusack dribbled by his man and flipped the ball back to Megnanglo, who banked in a contested three and sent the crowd of over 1,500 into a frenzy.
Cade Brenner capped off the night with a triple of his own to bring Trine's total to 10 on 24 attempts.
Trine closes out the regular season on the road next week, first with a trip to Kalamazoo on Wednesday before traveling to Calvin on Saturday.
