TIFFIN -- The Heidelberg University Men's Basketball team was unable to withstand a second-half surge from No. 24 Trine University, falling to the Thunder, 82-72, on Wednesday night.  Tre Watkins had 20 points in the loss.  

Heidelberg slipped to 3-2 on the season while Trine improved to 6-0.  

Eric Panning notched his fifth-consecutive double-double to start the season, finishing with 16 points and 14 boards.  

In a first half that was equal parts athletic and sloppy, Trine was up 6-0 early, and led by as many as 10 in the first half.  Heidelberg chipped away, ignited by a dunk from Panning.  Watkins scored a quick 10 points as part of an 18-6 push that helped Heidelberg take their first lead of the game.  

The lead jostled back and forth over the final five minutes of the half, but a layup by Trine's Emmanuel Megnanglo knotted the game at 35 at half.  

The game continued to seesaw early in the second half, with six lead changes in the first three minutes.  After a pair of free throws from Isaiah Young, Heidelberg led, 49-45, with 14:59 to play.  

Trine surged back and enjoyed a five-point advantage before HU answered with a quick 5-0 spurt.  

An 8-0 run over an 88-second span slingshotted the Thunder into the lead and into control of the game.  Heidelberg would inch back to as close as three, but Trine found buckets whenever they needed one.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
Trine held a 12-3 edge in blocked shots, led by Megnanglo's five swats … The Thunder shot an even 50% from the floor (33-for-66), and held HU to 34.2% … Megnanglo finished with 12 points and 17 boards.

Up next, the Student Princes host Marietta in the second game of the only home Saturday doubleheader of the season.  The women's game will tip at 2 p.m., with the men's game to follow.