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.

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