Box Score NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Trevecca women's basketball team (9-14, 5-6 TranSouth) held on for a 60-56 win over Bethel University (11-13, 3-7) Thursday evening at the Trojan Fieldhouse, the Trojans' second consecutive victory. The win gives Trevecca a season sweep over the Wildcats, and the Trojans now lead the overall series 15-5.

"A good win for us tonight," said Trevecca Assistant Coach Courtney Van Atta. "We didn't shoot the ball well in that second half, and Bethel took advantage of that, but the girls did a great job of holding on for the win."

It looked like a runaway early, with the Trojans making their first three shots to take a 6-0 lead just over two minutes into the contest. Bethel rebounded to tie the game 8-8 with 15:22 left in the half, but responded with a 16-3 burst to take a 24-11 with 8:51 to play until halftime. The Trojans continued to build on the advantage, and led 39-21 late in the half, before the Wildcats' Molly Wallsmith drained a half-court shot at the buzzer to cut the Trojan lead to 15 (39-24) at halftime.

The Trojans shot 48% (12-25) in that first half, and made 13 of 16 free throws, while Bethel made just 8-of-34 shots (24%) from the field. Trevecca also had a 30-13 advantage on the glass in the first half.

But Wallsmith's buzzer beater at halftime seemed to give the Wildcats new life, as they started the half on a 19-6 run to close with two points (45-43) with 7:08 left to play. Bethel was still within three points (47-44) when Haley Felker drained a three-pointer to put the Trojans back up by six with 5:08 left. A pair of free throws by Anna Mitchell gave Trevecca a 56-51 lead with 2:32 to play, but Bethel's Jana Roney scored five straight points to tie the game at 56 with just 35 seconds left. After a timeout, Mitchell scored in the post with 17 seconds left and the Wildcats failed to answer, with Kelsey Hamilton missing a three-point attempt from the right wing. Mitchell was fouled on the rebound and drained two more free throws for the final margin.

Rachel Raby posted her fourth consecutive double-double, tallying 19 points and 12 rebounds. Mitchell added 15 points and nine rebounds, and Kayla Biles added 11 points and six rebounds. Anissa Ragland finished with just six points, but added seven rebounds, seven blocks, and two assists. Wallsmith led Bethel with 16, and Roney added 15 points and 11 rebounds.

"Rachel has really been playing well," added Van Atta. "Coach has been working with her on developing more ways to score on offense, and she has really been working hard. All that hard work has paid off with several good games in a row."

The Trojans made 19-of-53 shots (36%) from the floor, including 3-of-15 from three-point range, and knocked down 19-of-23 (83%) free throws. Bethel shot 28% (17-61) from the field, made 10-of-35 from beyond the arc, and finished 12-of-22 from the line. Trevecca finished with a 46-40 advantage on the glass, but Bethel had the edge on the offensive glass, 14-10.

"I think it was good for us to be challenged in the second half and then still find a way to win," added Van Atta. "We've struggled to finish off close games this season, so to be able to hold on for this win is a big confidence boost for our team."
 
The Trojans play at Cumberland University (11-12, 6-5 TranSouth) Saturday at 2 p.m. The Bulldogs are coming off a 56-51 win at Blue Mountain Thursday night.