INDIANA, Pa. (Nov. 16, 2009) – Freshman transfer Blair Rozenblad (Youngstown, Ohio/Kennedy Catholic) lived up to expectations, pouring in 17 points, but the Thiel College men's basketball team couldn't pull out a season-opening victory at NCAA Division II Indiana University of Pa., falling to the Crimson Hawks, 82-64.

Rozenblad converted on four of 10 shots from the floor but the did the majority of his damage from the free throw line, sinking seven of seven shots.

Junior Devon Adams (Philadelphia, Pa./George Junior Republic) chipped in 14 points to go with a team-high five assists in the loss.

Junior Allen George (Brunswick, Ohio/Saint Edward) pulled down a Thiel-best five rebounds.

The Crimson Hawks and Tomcats exchanged the lead four times before Indiana built an eight-point lead to enter the intermission with a 36-28 advantage. 

The Hawks - ranked 18th in the latest National Association of Basketball Coaches poll - never looked back and led by no fewer than seven points during the second half.

Indiana was led by Julian Sanders who scored a game-high 19 points.

Thiel returns to action on Friday when it takes part in a tournament at La Roche College in Pittsburgh.