NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Trine University men's basketball team just came up short in their bid to sweep the weekend at the 2011 Courtyard Chicago Naperville Tip-Off Tournament as they defeated Aurora University 79-64 on Friday (Nov. 18) but fell to host North Central College 72-70 to start their season.
The Thunder rolled over the Spartans from the opening tip as they scored the first bucket of the game. Aurora tied the game at 4-4 but that would be the only time as the Thunder pushed their lead to 21 by halftime at 46-25.
Trine increased their lead to as much as 27 points with 11 minutes remaining in the second half. The Spartans cut into the lead but were never able to get within single digits.
Junior Ian Jackson (Indianapolis, Ind./Perry Meridian) led the way for Trine with a career-high 34 points on 12-of-24 shooting. Jackson also grabbed six boards. Senior Tim Pearcy (Vicksburg, Mich./Vicksburg) was the only other Trine player in double-digits adding in 13 points to go along with five boards. Junior Scott Rogers (Waterford, Mich./Kettering) led the Thunder with seven rebounds. Sophomore transfer Chris Kent (Angola, Ind./Angola) led the offense with seven assists while adding in seven points and six rebounds.
In the championship game, North Central built the games largest lead at 11 points just seven minutes into the game. It didn't look good for the Thunder but they came roaring back to trail by only four at halftime. Trine continued to battle back as they were able to overtake the lead with just under nine minutes remaining to lead by three. The Cardinals would re-take the lead and would go up by seven with just two minutes remaining in the game. A three-pointer with 16 seconds left pulled Trine within two, but North Central made both their free throws and Trine could only make a layup as time expired.
Jackson again led the Thunder with a game-high 22 points to go along with six rebounds and a game-high three steals. Pearcy and freshman Braden Knight (Bedford, Ind./North Lawrence) each added in 11 points. Pearcy also pulled down six boards. The Cardinals had five players score in double-digits.
Jackson and Pearcy were named to the All-Tournament team.
Trine will take the week off before they host the MIAA/HCAC Challenge that begins on November 26 at 3:00 p.m. as Kalamazoo and Manchester faceoff followed by Trine taking on Earlham at 5:00 p.m.