Hot Start Looms Large in 64-46 Loss at Trine - WICU12/WSEE Erie, PA News, Sports, Weather and Events

Hot Start Looms Large in 64-46 Loss at Trine

ANGOLA, IND. – The last time Adrian and Trine met on the basketball court it was a game-winning shot for the Bulldogs to propel them to a win. On Saturday the tone was much different as the Thunder jumped on the Bulldogs early and did not let up in a 64-46 win sending Adrian to a season-worst three game losing streak and into fifth place in the MIAA standings (15-6, 4-6).

The Bulldogs never had a lead in the contest and found themselves down by 10 (19-9) midway through the first half. Adrian flirted around a single-digit deficit over the next few minutes before Trine went on a 12-3 run to take a 36-18 lead with 2:41 left. The Thunder were firing on all cylinders in the first half taking a 38-22 lead into the locker room. It was the second highest halftime deficit of the year for the Bulldogs. Trine shot 58.6 percent (17-of-29) and made all three free throw attempts. Adrian shot 34.6 percent (9-of-26) and made one of five tries behind the arc.

Adrian responded early in the second half and cut the lead down to 10 at 44-34 just over six minutes into the half. Adrian had three chances to cut the lead further but misfired. The lead got down to eight at 47-39 with 11:15 to play after a triple by senior Cody Barnes. Trine called a 30-second timeout and then scored the next six points to push the advantage back to 14 at 53-39 with 9:28 remaining.

The Bulldogs would lower the deficit under single digits just once more at 53-44 with 5:27 left but the Thunder closed the game out on an 11-2 run to win 64-46. Trine shot just 26.9 percent in the second half but did make 10-of-14 at the charity stripe. The Bulldogs made 17-of-52 from the floor overall and just 3-of-14 from behind the arc. Sophomore Eric Lewis led the team in scoring for the 14th time this season with 20 points and he also recorded a double-double with 11 boards. Freshman Ben Rodak chipped in seven points off the bench in 29 minutes.