ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University men's basketball team fell to The University of Olivet on Saturday afternoon inside the MTI Center. The Comets (15-10, 12-2 MIAA) took the win 84-80 over Trine (18-7, 10-4 MIAA) and the MIAA Regular Season Championship.
Jayden Bradshaw scored a game high 23 points and knocked down four three pointers.
Elias Lewis,
Nate Tucker, and
Logan McKenzie scored in double figures. McKenzie added 10 rebounds and five assists for a double-double effort.
The game was hotly contested from the start, with either team leading by only one or two possessions throughout, Olivet managed to lead by 10 in the second half but quickly saw Trine cut the lead back to three.
Trine was able to gain the lead early on with a trio of three pointers.
Danny Flood, Lewis, and
Elisha Jones all connected to give Trine the lead each time. Olivet led 18-13 a little before the halfway mark when a 13-0 Trine run ensued. Bradshaw completed a four point play in reverse, making the front end of a pair of free throws with McKenzie pulling in the rebound and dishing it back to Bradshaw who had made his way behind the three point line and buried the shot.
The make tied the game; Bradshaw scored the next bucket before returning the favor to McKenzie who sent it home with a two handed flush.
Elias Lewis capped the run with a pair of free throws. Trine led for most of the remainder of the first half before Olivet took a small lead to the locker room.
Olivet quickly pushed the lead to 10 in the second half and would ultimately lead the rest of the way. Trine's best opportunity came in the middle of the half, An 8-0 run pulled Trine within 64-62. Bradshaw scored six of the eight, but a timeout from Olivet stalled the momentum and allowed the Comets to break the dry spell with a three pointer. Trine again closed in in the final minute. Another McKenzie dunk cut the lead to two, Trine had a chance to tie the game but an untimely turnover gave Olive a pair of free throws and sealed Trine's fate.
The Thunder will be the #4 seed in the MIAA Tournament and will host Albion College on Tuesday night at 7:30 p.m.
