The Thunder men's basketball team traveled to Kentucky and Tennessee this weekend to take on two Mideast Region foes. The Thunder would have a top-10 matchup with the #9 ranked Boyce College Bulldogs on Friday night in Louisville, Kentucky. The Thunder would be in a tight game with the Bulldogs throughout the first half. TheThunder would find themselves down 11-6 with 16:11 left in the half, but would use a 9-2 run to retake the lead with just under 13:00 minutes. The Thunder would take their largest lead of the half, 36-27, with 4:44 remaining before the Bulldogs would close the half on a 12-4 run to cut into the Thunder's lead. With a 40-39 lead after 20 minutes, the Thunder would open the second half with a 7-0 run. The game would be back and forth with multiple ties and lead changes throughout the second half. The Thunder would take a 64-57 lead with 8:26 left and never look back as the lead would grow to 15 with 1:22 left. The Bulldogs would not go away as the gave a late surge, but the Thunder would prevail by a final score of 86-80.

The Thunder would shoot 53.1% from the field, 47.4% from the three-point line, and 56.3% from the free throw line. Senior, Micah Lovett would lead the charge with 25 points on 9-15 shooting from the field and 5-7 from the free throw line. He would also have three rebounds, three assists, and three steals. Junior, Landon Gray would have 15 points with three three-pointers, while fellow junior, Xavier Lucas had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Davis Rokey and Jordan Carter would chip in with 11 points and 9 points, respectively.

On Saturday afternoon, the #8 ranked Thunder traveled south to Gallatin, Tennessee to take on the Welch College Flames. The Thunder and Flames met earlier this season in Manhattan where the Flames would take down the Thunder in overtime, 113-106. The Thunder would earn revenge on the road and extinguish the Flames in a defensive battle, 64-53. The Thunder would lead for the majority of the game and take a 37-22 lead into the half. The Thunder would bolster their lead to as much as 21 in the second half before the Flames would cut the lead to single digits. Timely free throws would close out the flames as the Thunder picked up their second win in as many days. The Thunder would hold the Flames to 32.1% shooting from the field and 23.8% from the three-point line, while out-rebounding them 47-35.

The Thunder would shoot 41.8% from the field, 33.3% from the three-point line, and 57.1% from the free throw line. Rokey would lead the way with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. While guards, Jaxon Hurla, who had 13 points on four made threes, and Lovett, who had 11 points, four rebounds, and three steals, would contribute for the rest of the offense. With the two wins, the Thunder move to 11-9 overall and go 6-1 on their seven game road swing.

The Thunder will return home next week when they host the Barclay College Bears in a Midwest Christian College Conference matchup on Tuesday, January 28th at 6:00 PM.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Men's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics & @mccmbb

Instagram: @mccathletics & @mccmb_

The Thunder women's and men's basketball team took a midweek trip to Belton, Missouri to take on the Calvary University Warriors. The women's team would be facing the #5 ranked Warriors to open the evening. The Thunder would hang with the Warriors for the first 20 minutes and trail 27-25 at the half. A back and forth third and fourth quarters would lead to a close game down the stretch. The Thunder would not be able to convert on the offensive end and the Warriors would close out the game with some free throws to seal the victory 61-51. With the defeat, the Thunder fall to 4-11 overall, 1-4 in the Midwest Christian College Conference, and 2-2 in the NCCAA Central Region.

The women will play their next game on Thursday, January 23rd at home against the Union Adventist University Warriors at 6:00 PM.

The #8 ranked men's team would take on the Warriors in the second game of the doubleheader on Tuesday evening. The Thunder would come out rolling taking an early 31-11 lead. The Warriors would go on a little run to end the half to cut the lead to 13 after 20 minutes. The Thunder would start the second half slow, but would turn it up defensively and close out the Warriors by a score of 82-48. With the victory, the Thunder move to 0.500 at 9-9, 4-1 in the MCCC, and 4-0 in the Central Region.

The men will play their next game on Friday, January 24th when they travel to Louisville, Kentucky to play the #9 ranked Boyce College Bulldogs at 6:00 PM.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Women's and Men's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics, @wbasketballmcc, & @mccmbb

Instagram: @mccathletics, @mcc_wb, & @mccmb_

The Thunder women's and men's basketball teams both traveled to Joplin, Missouri to take on a ranked Ozark Christian College Ambassadors team. The women would open up on Friday evening with the #3 ranked Ambassadors. The Thunder would be behind 28-17 after one quarter and down 25 at the half. A strong second half kept the game competitive as the Thunder would outscore the Ambassadors 25-11 in the final 10 minutes. It would be too much in the end for the Thunder as they would fall by a final score of 77-59. With the loss, the Thunder fall to 4-10 overall and 1-3 in Midwest Christian College Conference play.

The Thunder shot 41.3% from the field, 12.5% from the three-point line, and 60.0% from the free throw line. The Thunder were led by junior, Nekayla Williams who scored 19 points off the bench. Freshman duo, Elayna Wegner and Macayla Hines would score 16 and 13 points, respectively. Wegner would also have six rebounds and three assists.

The Thunder will have another ranked opponent on Tuesday, January 21st when they travel to #5 ranked the Calvary University Warriors. Tip will be at 5:00 PM.

The #8 ranked men's team battled with the #5 Ambassadors on Friday evening after the women's game concluded. The Thunder found themselves down early and would be behind 34-23 at the half. The Thunder would claw their way back in the second half to tie the game on two different occasions, but would ultimately fall in the top-10 matchup, 68-63. With the conference loss, the Thunder now sit at 3-1 in the MCCC and 8-9 overall.

The Thunder would shoot 41.0% from the field, 36.4% from the three-point line, and 41.7% from the free throw line. The Thunder were led by junior, Jaxon Hurla who had 20 points and connected on four threes. Senior, Micah Lovett would have 13 points, while freshman, Davis Rokey would chip in with 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Thunder will be on the road for a MCCC game against the Calvary University Warriors on Tuesday, January 21st at 7:00 PM.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Men's and Women's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics, @mccmbb, & @wbasketballmcc

Instagram: @mccathletics, @mccmb_, & @mcc_wb

Since the last poll on December 17th, the Thunder men's basketball team have gone 3-1 and remain in the #8 spot in the recent National Christian College Athletic Association Coaches' Poll for DII Men's Basketball. The three wins were over NCCAA Central Region opponents, Central Christian College of the Bible, who is also a Midwest Christian College Conference member, Kansas Christian, who were receiving votes to be in the second top-10 poll of the season, and #7 Spurgeon. With a total of 20 points, the Thunder are above Boyce and Pensacola Christian to round out the poll. For the full top-10 rankings for DII Men's Basketball, click this link.

The Thunder will be back in action at MCCC rival and #5 ranked the Ozark Christian College Ambassadors on January 17th at 7:00 PM.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Men's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics & @mccmbb

Instagram: @mccathletics & @mccmb_

The Thunder men's basketball team traveled to Kansas City, Missouri for a top-10, NCCAA Central Region match-up against the #7 Spurgeon College Knights. The Thunder would lead the whole game, but the Knights would battle back to make it a one possession game before the Thunder would end up pulling off the win in a thriller, 77-75. The Thunder would open the game on an 11-0 before the Knights would score their first basket with 17:05 left in the half. The lead would grow as large as 20 in the first before a 19-9 run by the Knights would cut the lead to eight at the half. The Thunder would lead by as much as 13 in the second half, but the Knights would chip away and as close as one with 2:44 left in the contest. The Thunder would be able to close it out as a chaotic scramble at the end would lead to a three by the Knights that would fall short giving the Thunder the victory. With the win, the Thunder move to 8-8 overall and 3-0 in the Central Region.

The Thunder would shoot 40.3% from the field, 35.3% from the three-point line, and 60.0% from the free throw line. Eight Thunder players would score at least seven points for a balanced offensive attack. They were led by senior, Micah Lovett who had 15 points, four assists, and two steals, while converting on 11-16 free throws. Junior, Fred Criqui would provide a huge spark off the bench with 12 points on 6-8 shooting and seven rebounds, while fellow junior, Jaxon Hurla would have 10 points and five assists.

The Thunder will play again on Friday, January 17th against Midwest Christian College Conference rival and #5 ranked Ozark Christian College Ambassadors at 7:30 PM in Joplin, Missouri.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Men's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics & @mccmbb

Instagram: @mccathletics & @mccmb_

The Thunder women's and men's basketball teams were on the road this weekend for two games apiece. The roadtrip would start with a Midwest Christian College Conference and NCCAA Central Region matchup against Central Christian College of the Bible on Friday evening. The women battled the Saints first and would fall 57-33.

On Saturday afternoon, the Thunder would take on Central Region rival, the Kansas Christian College Falcons. The Thunder would be behind by four after the first quarter, but a 24-12 advantage in the second quarter would put the Thunder up 34-26 at the break. A near even final two quarters between the Thunder and Falcons would find the Thunder up 63-53 at the final buzzer. The Thunder would shoot 40.3% from the field, 17.6% from the three-point line, and 58.8% from the free throw line. The Thunder had four score in double-figures led by freshman, Macayla Hines who had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Freshman, Elayna Wegner had a near double-double with 13 points and 9 rebounds, while newcomers Chantyl Perry and Nekayla Williams chipped in with 11 and 10 points, respectively. After going 1-1 on the weekend, the Thunder are now 4-9 overall, 1-2 in the MCCC, and 2-1 in Central Region play.

The women will play again on Friday, January 17th against the #5 ranked Ozark Christian College Ambassadors at 5:30 PM in Joplin, Missouri.

The #8 ranked men's basketball team would also take on the Saints of Central Christian College of the Bible on Friday night. The Thunder dominated in the first half putting up 49 points, while holding a 23-point lead. It was much of the same in the second half as the Thunder closed out the Saints to win by a final score of 96-64. The Thunder would 52.1% from the field, 44.0% from the three-point line, and 64.3% from the free throw line. Four Thunder players would score at least 13 points, while six would score at least seven points. Junior, Xavier Lucas would pace the Thunder with 17 points on 7-9 shooting from the field, to go along with eight rebounds. Fellow junior, Landon Gray would hit five threes to score 15 points, while Micah Lovett and Davis Rokey would chip in with 13 points apiece.

On Saturday, the Thunder would also be in Overland Park, Kansas to take on the Kansas Christian College Falcons. The Thunder would start the game on a 9-0 run and never trail in the game. The Thunder would take a 43-24 lead into the half. The Falcons would only get it as close as 16 in the second half with 3:57 left, but the Thunder would be too much and close out the game with the victory 82-60. The Thunder would hold the Falcons to 37.5% shooting from the field and forced 20 turnovers. Junior, Jaxon Hurla would have 17 points, four rebounds, and three steals, while senior, Cody Mericle had 14 points on 6-8 shooting from the field. Lucas would record a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. With the two wins, the Thunder move to 7-8 on the year, 3-0 in the MCCC, and 2-0 in Central Region play.

The men will play on Tuesday, January 14th against the #5 ranked Spurgeon College Knights at 6:00 PM in Kansas City, MO.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Men's and Women's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics, @mccmbb, & @wbasketballmcc

Instagram: @mccathletics, @mccmb_, & @mcc_wb

The Thunder men's basketball team opened 2025 with a home game against the Welch College Flames on Saturday afternoon. The Thunder would lead for the majority of the game and would be up by as much as 13 in the second half, only to falter in the second half and overtime to drop their first game of the new year, 113-106. It would be a shootout to start the game as it was a 21-18 Thunder advantage with 12:57 left in the half. The Thunder would then use an 8-0 run to push their lead to 11 about half way through the first half. After 20 minutes, the Thunder would lead 44-37. In the second half, the Thunder would find themselves up double-digits six different times and being up 10 with 7:54 to play. The Flames would take their first lead since the 15:48 mark in the first half with 1:30 to play in regulation. The Thunder would tie it up at 95 with 13 seconds remaining and a miss on the other end would force overtime. The Thunder would lead by one early in the overtime period and tie it at 102 with 2:29 left, but the Flames put the Thunder away with timely baskets and free throws to secure the victory. With the loss, the Thunder fall to 5-8 overall.

The Thunder would shoot 48.1% from the field, 25.8% from the three-point line, and 64.7% from the free throw line. The Thunder were led by sophomore, Davis Rokey who recorded another double-double with 35 points and 16 rebounds on 13-18 shooting from the field. Senior, Cody Mericle would have a career high 21 points on 9-12 shooting from the field and 3-5 from the three-point line, to go along with six rebounds. Fellow senior, Micah Lovett would chip in with 15 points, six assists to zero turnovers, four rebounds, and three steals, while junior, Xavier Lucas would have 14 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals for the Thunder.

The Thunder will be on the road for seven straight games starting with a Midwest Christian College Conference matchup with the Central Christian College of the Bible Saints on January 10th at 7:00 PM in Moberly, Missouri.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Men's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics & @mccmbb

Instagram: @mccathletics & @mccmb_

After going 2-0 over the past two weeks, the Thunder men's basketball have moved up two spots to #8 in the latest National Christian College Athletic Association Coaches' Poll for DII Men's Basketball. The two wins were over Midwest Christian College Conference opponents, Emmaus and Faith Baptist Bible who were receiving votes to be in the first top-10 poll of the season. With a total of 18 points, the Thunder are above Pensacola Christian and the College of Biblical Studies-Houston to round out the poll. For the full top-10 rankings for DII Men's Basketball, click this link.

The Thunder will be back in action in 2025 when they host the Welch College Flames on January 4th at 2:00 PM at Howie's Activity Center.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Men's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics & @mccmbb

Instagram: @mccathletics & @mccmb_

The Thunder men's basketball team played their final game of 2024 on Monday afternoon, an exhibition contest with the Rockhurst University Hawks. The Thunder would jump out to a 9-5 lead just before the under-16 media timeout. With the score 24-19, a 14-0 run by the Hawks would push the lead to 19 with 4:27 left in the half. A late push would put the Thunder down 42-27 at the break. An 8-0 run to start the second half would give the Thunder momentum to keep the game close. The Thunder would cut the lead down to six with 14:25 left to play, but the Hawks would go on another run to bolster their lead to 24 with 9:15 left. The Thunder would battle the final nine minutes and outscore the Hawks 26-18, but it would be too little in the end and the Thunder would fall short, 88-72.

The Thunder were lead by sophomore, Davis Rokey who had 17 points on 7-13 shooting from the field, four rebounds, and two steals. Senior, Cody Mericle had an efficient afternoon going 4-4 from the field and 3-3 from distance to score 12 points, while also collecting three boards. Fellow senior, Micah Lovett would chip in with 10 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while freshman, Tatum Pierce had nine points. The Thunder would shoot 39.1% from the field, 27.3% from the three-point line, and 80.0% from the free throw line.

The Thunder finish 2024 with a record of 5-7 and a 2-0 mark in Midwest Christian College Conference play. The Thunder will be back in action on January 4th when they host the Welch College Flames at Howie's Activity Center at 2:00 PM.

Stay up-to date on all Thunder Athletics and Men's Basketball news on our social media pages!

Facebook: Manhattan Christian College Athletics

Twitter: @mccathletics & @mccmbb

Instagram: @mccathletics & @mccmb_