GAMBIER, Ohio -- The early season winning streak for the Kenyon men's basketball team extended to three games as the Lords topped the Trine University Thunder by a final score of 68-55 on Saturday afternoon at Tomsich Arena. With the win, the Lords have their best start since they started 3-0 in the 1995-96 campaign. 
 
Just a night earlier, Trine (0-2) pushed Ohio Wesleyan University to the brink, falling short despite scoring 96 points. Kenyon's defense shined for a second consecutive game, holding the Trine offense to just 55 points on 21-for-53 shooting (39.6%). The defensive effort was especially stout in the first half, when Trine scored just six field goals while missing 19 shots (6-for-25; 24%).
 
Kenyon struggled to get going in the first half on the offensive side, however, they never trailed by more than three. At that point, when Trine led 11-8 with 13:25 remaining, Kenyon went on a 10-1 scoring run that was capped off by a Carter Powell three-point field goal to give Kenyon a six-point edge (18-12). 
 
The run spanned 7:22 on the clock as the Thunder went without scoring a field goal. Trine closed the gap to three, but Kenyon took a 28-21 lead into halftime. 
 
In the second half, Kenyon hit six shots from three-point range at a 50 percent clip. Seven different Lords combined to hit a three-point shot in the contest. 
 
Trine pushed the Lords' defense one last time, getting to within nine (52-43) with 5:38 remaining after a layup from Maurice Hunter.
 
Kenyon scored on their next three possessions on baskets from Matt Shifrin, Alex Laub, and Bennett Grigull without an answer from Trine. For good measure, Shifrin hit a three-pointer with 3:01 remaining that gave the Lords a 61-47 lead on their way to victory.
 
Three Lords in the starting lineup hit double figures in the contest. Laub led Kenyon with 13 points and just missed a double-double by one rebound as he finished with a game-high nine boards. Shifrin added 12 points and four rebounds and Stern finished with 11. Trine's Pete Smith finished with a game-high 18 points.
 
Once again, Kenyon won the rebounding battle 38-to-33, a stat they have won in each of their three wins this season. They were able to shoot 27-for-58 (46.6%) in the game, including an impressive 16-for-30 (53.3%) in the second half. 
 
Kenyon will enjoy a long break before their next contest at home versus Muskingum University at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29th.