NASHVILLE - The Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball team (6-5, 2-2 G-MAC) lost a classic basketball battle at the Trojan Fieldhouse, 72-68, to NCAA Division II No. 2 Ashland University (11-1, 4-0 G-MAC) on Thursday afternoon. The Eagles, who tied and NCAA Division II record with their 32nd consecutive road win, won last year's NCAA D2 Title with a 37-0 record.
The Eagles have a 6-0 record in the series.
BREAKING IT DOWN
The Eagles' 5-2 start initially placed them ahead of the Trojans. Trevecca responded with eight consecutive points, securing a 10-5 lead at 6:09 of the first quarter. The Eagles, however, swiftly countered with two consecutive three-pointers, cut the Trojan lead to one at 12-11. The Trojans went up 16-11 with back-to-back baskets and led 16-14 at the end of one quarter.
The Trojans opened the second quarter with another surge, this time their 8-2 run pushed their lead to eight (24-16 / 6:26). The Eagles responded by scoring seven straight to cut the Trojan lead to two (23-25) with 4:46 remaining in the half. At the 2:56 mark,
Faith Wilken drained a three-pointer and followed that up with a steal at 2:25 and converted it into a layup at 2:21 to push the Trojan lead to ten (34-24). The Eagles close the half out with five straight, making it a 34-29 Trojan lead at the break.
The Eagles came out on fire in the third quarter and gained the lead with three consecutive three-pointers, all from Lexi Howe. Ashland gained the lead (38-35) with a 9-1 run. In all, the first eight baskets of the second half (third quarter) were three pointers. The eighth three, from Zoe Miller, tied the game again at 53-53 with 1:46 left in the quarter. Each time the Eagles tried to pull away, the Trojans responded. The last two Eagle three-pointers gave them a three point lead at 50-47 and 53-50, but the Trojans answered with three pointers from Keeley Carter and Faith Wilken, respectively. Then, Amaya Thomas, scored with :54 left in the quarter to give the Trojans the lead back. Haley Smith tied the game at 55-55 with :40 left in the quarter. Her two-point field goal was the only Ashland points in the third not from a three-pointer.
Ashland outscored Trevecca 26-21 in the third, it was the most points either team scored in any quarter of the game.
Trevecca opened the fourth quarter strong, building a 62-59 (7:48) lead with a 7-4 start to the quarter. The No. 2 Eagles and defending national champions, made their final move with a 7-0 run establishing a 66-62 (6:09) lead, it was their largest lead of the game. The Trojans didn't regain the lead again, but didn't fold. When
Konnor Gambrell scored on a layup with 2:30 left, the Trojans had tied the game at 66-66. With 1:13 left, Erin Daniels drained a three to put the Eagles up for good at 69-66. Trevecca cut the lead to one (69-68) but could get no closer and the Eagles held on for the 72-68 win.
KEY PLAYERS
TEAM TIME
Trevecca outscored Ashland 47-46 combined in the first, second, and fourth quarters. Ashland outscored Trevecca 26-21 in the third. With the scored tied 55-55 at the end of the third quarter, the first time all season Ashland had not led through 30 minutes of play. Trevecca forced 16 Ashland turnovers wtih 12 steals while only giving the ball back to the Eagles 12 times and the visitors 10 steals.
The Trojans shot 47.3% (26-55) from the field and 72.2% (13-18) from the foul line But only hit 3-of-17 from deep. The Eagles outerbounded the Trojans 33-26. Trevecca dominated scoring in the post – 36-20 – and points scored off turnover – 25-20.
Ashland went 6-22 from three-point range in the first half, but hit 10-18 in the second half.
UP NEXT
The last game at the Trojan 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 8-5 overall, but 1-4 in the Great Midwest. TNU beat the Pioneers 69-65 on Dec. 9 in Ohio. Malone did bounce back to beat Hillsdale College in their last conference tilt before losing to Kentucky Wesleyan on Thursday. The Pioneer women are 6-6 overall and 2-2 in the league, coming off a loss at KWC.
Women – 1:00 PM -
Watch |
Live Stats - Home |
Tickets Home
Men – 3:00 PM -
Watch |
Live Stats – Home |
Tickets Home
Trevecca welcomes Hillsdale College next Thursday, Jan. 11 for a men's (8-4, 3-2 Great Midwest) and women's (5-7, 1-3 Great Midwest) double header starting at 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. Northwood University visits next Saturday, Jan. 13 for a men's (3-9, 0-4 Great Midwest) and women's (7-4, 3-1 Great Midwest) double header at 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM.
