Box Score MCKENZIE, Tenn. -
Rachel Raby scored 17 points to lead the Trevecca women's basketball team (6-9, 2-1 TranSouth) to a 70-44 rout of #RV Bethel University (8-8, 0-2) Thursday night at Dishman Gym. The win snapped a three-game losing streak to the Lady Wildcats for the Trojans, who now lead the overall series 14-5. The teams will play again February 9 at the Trojan Fieldhouse.
"Wow, that's all I can say," said Head Coach Gary Van Atta of his team's performance. "What an outstanding effort by our team from start to finish tonight. I'm just thrilled with this win."
Things didn't look good early for Trevecca, as Bethel scored the first six points of the game and led 10-3 after a three-pointer by Katie Van Dyke with 14:40 left in the half. But a 7-2 Trojan run over the next 3:13 cut the deficit to 12-10. With Bethel leading 14-10, Trevecca scored 12 unanswered points to take a 22-14 lead with 7:26 to play in the half. After a free throw by the Wildcats' Hailee Deckard ended the run,
Kayla Biles drained a three to make it a 10-point game, and the Trojans pushed it to 14 by halftime, taking a 34-20 lead to the locker room.
Trevecca continued to pull away in the second half, leading by as many as 25 (53-28) with 8:40 left. The Trojans led 55-31 after a bucket by
Anna Mitchell with 7:52 to play, but the Lady Wildcats scored 10 consecutive points to make it 55-41 with 4:32 on the clock. But a 9-2 spurt removed all doubt, and the Trojans cruised to the easy victory.
"This is a tough place to play, and I still can't believe we won the way we did," added Van Atta. "The girls just had a look in their eyes tonight that they weren't going to be denied."
Three other Trojans joined Raby in double figures, as Mitchell,
Lauren Wasson, and
Haley Felker chipped in 10 points apiece. Trevecca committed a season-low nine turnovers and finished with a 40-36 advantage on the boards, led by nine from Raby and seven from Felker.
Trevecca shot 41% (26-63) from the floor, 26% (7-27) from three-point range, and 79% (11-14) from the charity stripe. Bethel shot just 27% (13-49) from the field, 20% (4-20) from beyond the arc, and 61% (14-23) from the free throw line.
"Obviously we're glad to have a little momentum with two wins in a row," added Van Atta. "But we have to continue to prepare and play this way for every game, because you never know what you're going to get from night to night in the TranSouth. We want to pack the house Saturday for a big game with Cumberland.
Trevecca's next home game is Saturday, January 14 when the Cumberland Bulldogs (4-9, 1-2 TranSouth) come in for a 2 p.m. contest. It is Crush Cumberland/White Out Day presented by First Nazarene. Crush sodas, games, prizes, and whatever you wear, MAKE IT WHITE!
