ALMA, Mich. – Nate Tucker tied the Trine men's basketball program record with a perfect effort from the free throw line to lead the Thunder to a 72-55 victory over Alma College on Saturday. Tucker scored 16 of his 20 points from the free throw line and was a perfect 16-of-16. Trine is now 14-5 (6-2 MIAA) as Alma falls to 4-15 (2-6 MIAA).
 
Tucker's 16 free throws are the second most in a single game and he joins a long list of players to shoot 100% from the stripe; his 16 makes are the most in a perfect effort by a Thunder men's basketball player. Jayden Bradshaw also shot 100% from the free throw stripe making all six of his attempts as part of an 18 point effort.
 
Trine opened up a 12-0 lead over the games first four and a half minutes with five different players scoring. Tucker was the only one to score twice, making a lay up and two free throws. Alma erased a 16-1 Thunder lead over the next eight minutes to take a 22-20 lead. Trine regained control with a lay in from Logan McKenzie. Tucker extended the advantage at the stripe and Elias Lewis piled on a triple to give Trine a seven point lead. Danny Flood beat the halftime buzzer for a 32-25 lead at the break.
 
Alma drew first blood in the second half, cutting into the Thunder's advantage only to be answered by another triple from Lewis. The teams traded blows but Trine held the lead thanks to a long ball from Flood and four free throws from Bradshaw. Tucker extended Trine's 52-46 lead with six consecutive points, four from the stripe, to give the guests some breathing room. Tucker made six more free throws over the games final 2:38 as the Scots attempted to comeback, trading fouls for possessions. Bradshaw punctuated the win with a two-handed jam courtesy of McKenzie.
 
Tucker has made his last 35 free throw attempts, dating back to the first meeting with the Scots on January 10^th. Trine hosts Albion on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. The NCAA Fan Jam Experience will be at the MTI Center at 5 p.m. as part of their travelling promotion of the NCAA Final Four.