FRANKFORT, Ky. - The Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball team (6-4, 2-1 G-MAC) beat Kentucky State University (9-2, 6-0 SIAC), 85-71, in non-conference tilt on Saturday afternoon in the William Exum Center.  
 
The Trojans welcomed back Faith Wilken to the lineup, the senior scored 17 team, tying her sister Lili for the team high. The elder Wilken also surpassed the 500-career (504) point mark in the game.
 
BREAKING IT DOWN   
The Trojan's 5-3 start provided them with an initial advantage in a closely contested game from start to finish. The Thorobreds responded by scoring five unanswered points, securing an 5-8 lead at the 7:54 mark of the first quarter. They maintained the lead until the 3:12 mark when the Trojans leveled the score at 18-18 and the first quarter ended in a 24-24 tie.
 
Combined with the last four points of the first quarter, Trevecca scored the first six points of the second quarter for a 10-0 run, establishing a 30-24 lead at the 7:19. Trevecca held a modest 39-35 lead with 4:09 left in the half, but gained some separation with a 16-4 run that lasted into the second half, giving Trevecca a 55-39 lead with 6:03 left in the third.
 
From there, the Trojans slowly extended the lead to an 18-point (73-55) lead with 7:22 left in the fourth. Trevecca maintained a safe margin the rest of the game, settling for a 85-71 victory.  
 
KEY PLAYERS    
Faith and Lili Wilken led the team with 17 points apiece. The elder Wilken also tied for the team high in rebounding with seven. Kor Fornesa Liu, who scored 15, also had seven. Konnor Gambrell and Keeley Carter reached double figures in scoring with 14.
 
TEAM TIME    
The Trojans shot 50.8% (31-61) from the field and 83.3% (20-24) from the foul line. The Thorobreds outrebounded the Trojans 37-33. Trevecca dominated scoring in the post – 52-36 – and points scored off turnover – 18-10.
 
UP NEXT    
Both the Trevecca women and men open the 2024 portion of their Great Midwest slate on Jan. 4 versus nationally ranked Ashland. It is the last season for the Trojan athletic teams in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference. Trevecca is moving to the Gulf South Conference next season.

Women – 5:30 PM - Watch | Live Stats - Home | Tickets Home
Men – 7:30 PM - Watch | Live Stats – Home | Tickets Home
 
The Eagle men (9-2, 3-1 Great Midwest) have been ranked as high as No. 8 this season, but are currently just outside the top 25, receiving votes. The Eagles have a 4-0 advantage in the all-time series. This the third all-time meeting in Nashville.

Men – 7:30 PM - Watch | Live Stats – Home | Tickets Home
 
The Eagle women (10-1, 3-0 Great Midwest) are ranked No. 2 nationally and have a 35-game road winning streak on the line. They had their 45 game overall winning streak broken in a 66-62 loss to No. 10 Ferris State on Dec. 16. The Eagles have won all five previous meetings in the series, including three meetings last season. Trevecca has hosted Ashland just once in women's play at the Fieldhouse.

Women – 5:30 PM - Watch | Live Stats - Home | Tickets Home
 
The last games at the Fieldhouse before the Trevecca students and employees return from break features a men's and women's double header with Malone University.
 
Likely the last time the Pioneers travel to Nashville before the Trojans head to the Gulf South Conference (Gulf South press release) next season. The Malone men are 8-4 overall, but 1-3 in the Great Midwest. TNU beat the 69-65 on Dec. 9 in Ohio. But they bounced back to beat Hillsdale College in their last conference tilt. The Pioneer women are 6-5 overall and 2-1 in the league.

Women – 1:00 PM - Watch | Live Stats - Home | Tickets Home
Men – 3:00 PM - Watch | Live Stats – Home | Tickets Home
  
MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS    
Visit the Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com | www.trevecca.edu  
Click for Live Video of home games.    
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