The Thunder, ranked 13th in this week’s D3Hoops.com Top 25, led the guests 35-28 at halftime of today’s second game. Wheaton led 43-38 with 15:20 left in the game when the Thunder broke the game open with a 21-5 run over a span of 6:35 to increase the hosts’ lead to 64-42 with 8:44 left to play.
Senior forward Martin Trimiew scored a game-high 17 points with eight rebounds and two blocked shots to lead the Thunder. Senior guard Jon Nielson had a strong effort with 11 points, 11 assists, five rebounds and two steals. Fellow guard Tony Bollier, a junior, came off of the bench to scored 11 points with three field goals from behind the three-point arc. Senior center Jim Fortosis scored nine points and grabbed nine rebounds. Senior Jonathan Steven and Andrew Lettinga each scored nine points as a part of a balanced offensive effort from the Thunder.
Hope was led by 16 points apiece from Stephen Cramer and Travis Spaman off of the bench. Jake Hogeboom added 11 points for the guests.
Wheaton shot 46.4% (26-56) from the field, with 40% (8-20) from three-point range and 80% (16-20) from the free throw line. Hope shot for a 37.8% (17-45) field goal percentage, 23.5% (4-17) from three-point range and 65.5% (19-29) from the free throw line. Wheaton dominated the Flying Dutchmen in rebounding with a 39-25 edge, including a 17-11 edge on the offensive glass.
Calvin emerged from overtime with an 83-82 win in the opening game of the afternoon. Dan Aultman led Calvin with 20 points and seven rebounds, while Joel Hoekstra scored 14 points and Kyle Trewhella added 12 points with five rebounds. Keena Johnson led Carthage with 28 points and Kevin Menard added 20 points and grabbed eight rebounds. Calvin shot 53.3% (32-60) from the field, with 50% (9-18) from three-point range and an 83.3% (10-12) from the free throw line. Carthage posted a 37.7% (23-61) field goal percentage, with 38.1% (8-21) from three-point range and 77.8% (28-36) from the free throw line.