ANGOLA, Ind. - It was a big step forward for the Trine University women's basketball team as they earned their first conference win of the season defeating in-state rival Saint Mary's College (IN) 67-59. The Thunder improve to 5-0 on the season.

The Trine defense stepped up for the second straight game as they did not allow a Belles field goal until the 8:34 mark. The Thunder kept the pressure on as they increased their lead to 17 points at 27-10. Saint Mary's scored nine points in the final four minutes as the Thunder led it 33-19 at the break.

The Belles came out ready to go as they scored five straight points to cut into the Thunder lead. Trine was able to counter with a run of their own with six straight points. The two sides traded buckets for most of the second half until Saint Mary's went on their biggest run of the game. In a three minute span, the Belles scored 10 straight points to cut the Trine lead to just five points with 2:25 left in the game. The Trine defense was able to keep the Belles offense at bay for the final two minutes allowing only a layup as time expired.

Megan Loveberry (Quincy, Mich./Quincy) led the way for the Thunder with and game-high 21 points and three steals.  Junior Sydney Spragg (Reading, Mich./Reading) was a rebound shy of a double-double pouring in 15 points and grabbing a game-high nine boards. Senior Danielle Senf (Blanchardville, Wis./Pecatonica) also scored double-digits for the Thunder with 11 points while dishing out a game-high four assists. Freshman Sicily Boyce (Ashley, Ind./Prairie Heights) contributed to the effort with nine points and five boards. Junior Haley Killingbeck (Poneto, Ind./Southern Wells) had a solid defensive night with a game-high three blocks to go along with five rebounds.

Trine shot a season high 55.8 percent (24-for-43) from the floor while holding the Belles to a season-low 30.8 percent (20-for-65).

The win marks the first time Trine has defeated Saint Mary's in consecutive games for the first time since joining the MIAA as they also topped the Belles in the MIAA tournament last season. The 5-0 start by the Thunder marks their best start since the 1996-97 season when they started the year 6-0.

Trine will look to continue their winning ways as they travel to conference foe Olivet College on December 3 for a 3:00 p.m. tip-off.