MIDLAND, Mich. – The sixth-seeded Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball team (18-10) pulled off one of two big upsets in the 2024 Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championships, knocking off the third-seed Northwood University (20-8), 81-79, in overtime at Riepma Arena.
 
The Trojans still have not lost to the Timberwolves, winning all four meetings since the Timberwolves joined the Great Midwest during the 2022-23 season. The teams played twice last year, the first for NU in the Great Midwest, with the Trojans winning the first 79-77, in Midland, Michigan, and 80-69 at the return game at Trojan Fieldhouse.
 
ON TO THE GREAT MIDWEST CHAMPIONSHIP SEMIFINALS, AGAIN
Trevecca moves to the Great Midwest Semifinals for the second year in a row. This year, again at regular season champion Ashland University, the Trojans face sixth-seed Malone University at 6:30 PM CT on Friday, March 8.
 
It will be a chance at history on several levels. First, Malone University is 10-0 all-time against Trevecca in women's basketball. The Pioneers and Trojans have never met in the postseason.
 
It will also be a chance for the Trojans to advance to the Great Midwest Finals for the second year in a row.
 
Malone hit 14 three-pointers in the first meeting earlier this year at Trojan Fieldhouse, winning 80-75. Kyli Horn led the Pioneers with 23 points, hitting all six of her three-point attempts. Brooklyn Troyer scored 17, hitting 2-4 from three-point range. Brinn Hunt added 16, hitting 5-of-9 from deep. Malone outrebounded TNU 35-30. Faith Wilken scored 16 for the Trojans. Lili Wilken added 14, Konnor Gambrell scored 13, and Kor Fornesa Liu added 12. Keeley Carter also reached double figures with 12, but nearly 10 below her season average.  
 
Great Midwest Championship Central
(Live Stats / Live Video).
 
The G-MAC Final Four is hosted by top seed Ashland University (27-1, 20-0 Great Midwest), the regular season champions.
 
BREAKING IT DOWN    
TNU opened the game on an 11-2 run, hitting five of their first nine field goal attempts. Northwood roared back with a 17-5 run to close out the opening quarter, taking a 19-16 lead heading to the second quarter. NU hit all seven field goal attempts in the run.

The Trojans opened the second quarter with a 10-4 run, taking a 26-23 lead with 6:10 to go in the quarter, as five different Trojans scored two points each on a combined 4-5 shooting. NU closed the final 2:20 on a 9-4 run, taking a 36-35 lead into the halftime break.
 
The third quarter was a nip and tuck affair with both teams grabbing a modest lead. With 2:20 to go, it was Trevecca up 51-50. Northwood stepped up their offense and tilted the game in their favor, closing the half on a 8-3 run to gain a 58-54 lead headed to the final 10 minutes of regulation. They extended that run to a 15-3 run, scoring the first seven point of the fourth quarter to take a 65-54 lead with just 7:23 remaining the quarter. After a timeout, the Trojans charged back with a 12-0 run, Keeley Carter fueled the run with eight points. When the dust settled, Trevecca had taken a one-point (66-65) lead with 3:18 to go. Northwood ended the run with a Jayla Strickland hook shot, but TNU scored the next five for a 71-67 lead at the 1:30 mark. Alli Keyser hit a three pointers and a Strickland free throw tied the game at 71-71, sending the teams to overtime.
 
After a Keeley Carter free throw to start the extra five minutes, Northwood took a 74-72 lead on a three pointer. Neither team could gain an advantage of more than two points the rest of the way. The last seven points were scored on free throws, the final two from Keeley Carter with six seconds remaining, putting the Trojans up 81-79. The Trojans got a stop on the final Northwood possession, advancing with a two-point overtime win.
 
KEY PLAYERS    
Keeley Carter scored a game-high 29 points hitting 11-19 from the field and 7-of-9 from the foul line. She added nine rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block.
Faith Wilken scored 15 with 3-8 from three-point range and added three rebounds, three assists, two steals, and a block.
Konnor Gambrell scored 14 and grabbed a double-double with 11 boards. She added three steals and hit 6-8 from the line.
Kor Fornesa Liu scored 12 with six boards.
 
TEAM TIME    
The Trojans shot 42.5% (31-73) from the field and 15-19 from the line. Northwood outrebounded the Trojans 46-41.   
 
UP NEXT    
Trevecca moves to the Great Midwest Semifinals for the second year in a row. This year, again at regular season champion Ashland University, the Trojans face sixth-seed Malone University at 6:30 PM CT on Friday, March 8.