CLEVELAND – Thirteen Thunder scored in Saturday afternoon' 85-59 win over Kenyon College to give the Trine University men's basketball team it's first win of the season. Trine improves to 1-1 with the win, while dropping the Owls to 0-2.
Jess Roller led the Thunder with 14 points.
Cade Brenner and
Trevon Rochester-Thomas joined him in double figures. Trine made 27 free throws in the contest and limited Kenyon to just 26.7% from beyond the three point line.
Trine opened the game trailing 10-6 just under seven minutes into the contest but would conclude the half on a 34-13 run. The first five points came at the charity stripe a jumper from Brenner and close range buckets from
Elias Lewis and Roller gave Trine a 17-11 lead.
Jayce Cusack knocked down three free throws,
Darrius Welch connected on a jumper and Rochester-Thomas buried one of his three triples to swell the lead to a dozen. Brenner scored Trine's next six, four at the stripe and another jumper fell to push the led to 31-15. Trine built the halftime lead in the paint and on the free throw line scoring 32 of its 40 points from the two locations.
The Thunder out rebounded Kenyon 18-10 in the second half allowing the Owls just one offensive board in the second frame and forcing 11 turnovers. Trine scored from everywhere in the second half. Brenner opened the scoring with a jumper.
Drake Ahrens rocked the rim with a dunk, and Brenner connected from range. Welch made a pair of free throws and Rochester-Thomas added another long ball.
Elisha Jones split a pair of free throws but grabbed his own rebound and made a layup. Trine's lead held at about 20 points for most of the half before stretching to as many as 32 with a 6-0 run in the waning moments.
Trine hosts the Trine Tip-Off Classic on Friday and Saturday November 13 and 14. The Thunder will play Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Wisconsin-Oshkosh.
