Women's Basketball 2/13/2021 12:00:00 AM

Trevecca Women's Basketball | Buzzer-beater by Keeley Carter Lifts Trojans Over Tiffin

Box Score

Photo courtesy of Mike Strasinger

TIFFIN, Ohio - The Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball team (4-4, 4-4 Great Midwest) outlasted Tiffin on the road on Saturday with a dramatic 67-65 win capped by a buzzer-beating bucket by Keeley Carter, who had a career day.

The Trojans trailed by nine with four minutes to play but stormed back to claim the last-second victory.

SERIES HISTORY/NOTES

It was the fourth meeting between the Trojans and Dragons, and Trevecca now holds the all-time series lead, 3-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Trevecca trailed 8-2 early but battled back to outscore Tiffin 13-6 down the stretch in the first quarter with Keeley Carter and Alex McFarlin scoring all 13 points during the run. The Trojans surged ahead in the second quarter, outscoring Tiffin 23-13, and starting the quarter on an 18-5 run. Trevecca hit three three-pointers on this run from Faith Wilken, Haley Vesey, and Carter. Trevecca was sharing the ball effectively and was in a groove, capping the first half with two free throws by Kaitlynn Wilks to take a 38-27 lead into the locker room.

The Trojans faltered in the third quarter, allowing Tiffin back into the game as they were outscored 21-9 in the frame. The fourth quarter began with Tiffin back on top, 48-47. After the halfway point in the fourth quarter, it looked as though the game was getting away from the Trojans. Tiffin went on a 13-4 run that extended the Dragon lead to 60-51 with a three-pointer by Jensen Hiegel with 4:10 to play. At this point, Keeley Carter started going strong to the basket and scored four straight points from the free-throw line after drawing fouls. Tiffin was able to respond with physicality on the other end, going straight at Trevecca's Olivia Pepperman and prompting her to foul out. After Pepperman fouled out, Savannah Richards made a free throw to give Tiffin a 63-55 lead with 1:08 left. A made layup by Wilken cut the Tiffin lead to 63-59 with 48 seconds to play, and moments later McFarlin knocked down a crucial triple to pull the Trojans within two with 32 seconds left, it was 64-62. It became a free throw-fest after that, as Carter knocked down a pair to tie the game at 64-64 with 22 seconds left. With seven seconds left, Tiffin had the ball for with a baseline inbound to come. The Dragons drew a foul on Samantha Whiteman, but Jada Tate made only one of two free throws, and Tiffin led 65-64. With little time left, Trevecca raced down the floor, and Carter took the ball straight to the hoop, converting a buzzer-beating and-one with less than one second to play. Carter made the free throw with .3 seconds on the clock, finishing a career day and handing the Trojans a dramatic 67-65 victory.

PLAYER STATS REPORT

Freshman Keeley Carter renewed a career-high with 25 points on eight of 12 shooting and picked up her third career double-double with 10 rebounds. Carter also hit all seven of her free-throw attempts. Despite only hitting one out of eight three-pointers, Faith Wilken provided 15 points for the Trojans. Kaitlynn Wilks scored five points and tied a career-high 14 rebounds. Alex McFarlin netted three three-pointers for nine points.

Four Dragons scored in double figures on Saturday. Aarion Nichols scored 15, Jada Tate had 11 points with 10 rebounds, Kirsten Williams scored 11 points, and Jensen Hiegel chipped in 10.

TEAM STATS BREAKDOWN

Trevecca shot 23-of-59 from the floor (39%) and seven of 29 from beyond the arc (24%). The Trojans were 14-of-15 from the free-throw line and outrebounded Tiffin 37-35. Second chance points made a big difference for Trevecca, outscoring Tiffin 15-4 in that department. Each team turned the ball over 16 times.

Tiffin shot 22-of-50 (44%) and hit six of 14 three-point attempts (43%) while converting only 15-of-32 free throws (47%).

WHAT'S NEXT

Trevecca stays on the road, traveling to Lake Erie College (3-13, 3-13 Great Midwest) Monday for a Noon start. The Trojans defeated the Storm in the first meeting of the season at Trojan Fieldhouse, 65-57. It is the fourth all-time meeting and Trevecca has the 3-1 edge in the series. Trevecca has a three-game win streak in the series.

Trevecca returns to Nashville and hosts Malone University (7-10, 7-10 Great Midwest) on Thursday, February 18 at 4:30 PM. This is the eighth all-time meeting, the Pioneers have won all previous seven meetings.

Kentucky Wesleyan College (13-4, 13-4 Great Midwest) visits Trojan Fieldhouse on Saturday, February 20 at 1:30 PM. This is the 19th all-time meeting. The Panthers own a 13-5 lead in the all-time series and have won the last nine in the series. TNU last won January 25, 2016, in a 54-49 win.

A return trip to Ohio Dominican University (12-5, 12-5 Great Midwest) in Columbus, Ohio is next on the slate. The game tips Monday, February 22 at 4:30 PM. Trevecca defeated the Panthers 68-62 earlier this season, it is the first win in the series. The Panthers won the first six in the series.

Ursuline College (7-11, 7-11 Great Midwest) comes to Nashville as the Trojans host their final two games of the regular season. The Arrows and Trojans play at 4:30 PM on Thursday, February 25. Trevecca has lost seven of the last eight in the series, but lead the all-time series 8-7. Trevecca defeated the Arrows 76-73 on January 31, 2019, for the last win in the series. TNU took the first seven games in the series that started in the 2012-2013 season.

The final regular-season game of the year is February 27 when Trevecca welcomes Ohio Valley University (0-13, 0-13 Great Midwest) to the Trojan Fieldhouse for a 1:30 PM tip. Trevecca owns a 12-1 edge in the series, winning the last seven games.

The 2020-2021 Great Midwest Athletic Conference tournament runs March 2, 4, 5. The top eight teams in the final standings will make the field.

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