CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – Cade Brenner tallied a career-high 19 points to guide the Trine University men's basketball team to a 63-54 road win over the Wabash College Little Giants on Saturday afternoon. The Thunder (8-3) buried eight triples to power past the Little Giants (8-4, 2-1 NCAC).
 
Brenner had three treys and nailed both free throw attempts for a career-high scoring output and added seven rebounds. Jayden Bradshaw had a near double-double with nine points and nine boards. Nate Tucker added all 10 of his points in the first half.
 
The first half was a power struggle as neither team led by more than four points enroute to a 26-25 Wabash lead at the break. Tucker got to work early, scoring Trine's first six points, the last bucket giving the Thunder a one point lead. Wabash answered with the next five points before being countered by five from the Thunder. Elias Lewis knocked down a three and Trevon Rochester-Thomas gave he guests an 11-10 lead with a pair of free throws. The lead held as Brenner got to work scoring a pair of baskets to push the lead to 15-12. Wabash was able to regain the lead with under four minutes to play and lead 26-22. The Thunder defense stepped up and held the Little Giants off the scoreboard over the final 3:32. Danny Flood cut the lead to one with a three pointer.
 
Logan McKenzie quickly gained the lead for Trine out of halftime with two buckets in the paint. Danny Flood pushed the lead to six with  a layup. Wabash countered with the next seven points and led 33-32. Eddie Millington regained the lead for Trine with a triple.
 
Enter Cade Brenner, the sophomore ensured the lead would remain with his squad as he got red hot, scoring the game's next seven points and Trine's next 13. He started from beyond the three point line and then added two baskets inside. A Wabash basket only fueled the fire as he buried two more triples on the ensuing Trine possessions. The outburst swelled the lead to nine points at 48-39 with 11:46 to play.
 
Drew Panning made his return to the line up with a emphatic dunk and five consecutive points, Bradshaw added two to push the run to 7-0 and eventually 13-4 when he nailed a long ball that gave Trine it's biggest lead of the day at 63-47. The offense would be held scoreless over the final 3:38 but the defense allowed just seven points to preserve the win.
 
This concludes Trine's non-conference schedule, the Thunder will open MIAA action on Wednesday with a trip to Holland, Michigan to take on Hope College at 7 p.m.