Lexington, Ky. -- After a week away from the court, the Thunder men's basketball team returned to action on Saturday evening with their first road trip of the season. Wheaton traveled south to Lexington, Kentucky to visit Transylvania University for the first time after the Thunder's home win over the Pioneers last season. The home side was victorious again tonight, with Transylvania surviving a second-half surge by their visitors to claim a 71-65 result. Wheaton's record is now 1-4 as the first portion of conference play comes into view.

The hosting Pioneers never trailed in tonight's contest, and while the Thunder did well to fight back from a 19-8 deficit six minutes into the game, Transylvania managed to enter the halftime locker room with a double-digit lead. The first time that the Pioneers' lead appeared to be under serious threat came with seven minutes remaining in the game, as Wheaton mounted a 5-0 run to trim the scoreline down to 55-50. After trading baskets in the following minutes, back-to-back layups in the lane by RJ Veliz and Nate Sock brought the guests back within five points with 40 seconds left to play. A three-pointer from Veliz then made it 69-65 in Transylvania's favor with 20 seconds on the clock. But this proved to be Wheaton's final basket of the matchup, and two subsequent free throws for the home side were enough for the Pioneers to see out the non-conference win.

The Thunder had the more accurate showing at the charity stripe on Saturday, but Transylvania posted better shooting percentages overall and from three-point land, specifically. The Pioneers enjoyed advantages in most of the statistical categories in this evening's affair, but Wheaton earned more second chance points and the same number of points off of turnovers. The Thunder also got more offensive rebounds and blocked more shots than their hosts.

Nate Sock led the team in points, rebounds, and blocks in his first start of the season. The senior went for a joint game-best and career-high 18 points, six boards, and three rejections while shooting over 50% from the field. Kyle Neibch and Soren Richardson each contributed 12 points and made a pair of three-point shots. RJ Veliz dished out a game-leading five assists to go with his nine points on the night.

The Thunder men's team will remain on the road to open CCIW play for 2023-24. Wheaton travels to Millikin University on Wednesday for a 7 PM tip-off.