NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball team not only made the Great Midwest Athletic Championships for the second year in a row, but they also moved to the Great Midwest Semifinals for the second year in a row. This year, again, the Great Midwest Final Four is at regular season champion Ashland University. Sixth seed Trevecca face seventh-seed Malone University in Ashland, Ohio and Kates Gym at 6:30 PM CT on Friday, March 8.
Ashland (Host) Tourney Home Page
Great Midwest Championships Page
Both the Trojans and Pioneers pulled off overtime upsets on the road in their quarterfinal games. Malone defeated second seed Kentucky Wesleyan College while Trevecca went on the road and beat third seed Northwood University.
Trevecca NCAA Rankings
Karen Booker Bio
NCAA History/Records
WHAT'S ON THE LINE
It is a chance at history on several levels for the Trojans. First, Malone University is 10-0 all-time against the Purple White. Trevecca is looking to make the conference finals for the second year in a row. The Pioneers and Trojans have never met in the postseason. It is also a chance for the winner to reach the championship game and improve their chances to make a return trip to the 2024 NCAA Championships / Midwest Regional. Both teams advanced to the Midwest Regional last season.
2023-2024 TREVECCA VS MALONE REGULAR SEASON
Malone defeated Trevecca in their only meeting this year, an 80-75 win at Trojan Fieldhouse. The Pioneers sank 14 three-pointers in that first meeting. Kyli Horn led the Pioneers with 23 points, hitting all six of her three-point attempts. Brooklyn Troyer scored 17 points, hitting 2-4 from three-point range. Brinn Hunt added 16 points, hitting 5-of-9 from deep. Malone outrebounded TNU 35-30. For Trevecca,
Faith Wilken scored 16 points with support from
Lili Wilken (14),
Konnor Gambrell (13), and
Kor Fornesa Liu (12).
Keeley Carter also reached double figures, scoring 12, but nearly 10 below her season average.
TREVECCA GREAT MIDWEST POSTSEASON HISTORY
SEASON |
SEED |
RESULT |
RECORD |
2012-13 |
1 |
Finals |
1-1 |
2013-14 |
1 |
Finals |
2-1 |
2014-15 |
2 |
Semifinal |
0-1 |
2015-16 |
5 |
Semifinal |
1-1 |
2018-19 |
8 |
Quarterfinal |
0-1 |
2020-21 |
7 |
Quarterfinal |
0-1 |
2022-23 |
3 |
Finals |
2-1 |
2023-24 |
6 |
*Semifinal |
1-0 |
|
|
|
7-7 |
TREVECCA GREAT MIDWEST POSTSEASON HISTORY NOTES |
2012-13
In its first season in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, the Trojans won the regular season title and hosted the first G-MAC Championships at Trojan Fieldhouse. Trevecca beat Central State University in the semifinals before falling to Urbana University in the title game. |
2013-14
In year two of the Great Midwest, Trevecca won the regular season and host honors for the championships. Trevecca defeated Central State University in the tournament opener, this time in the quarterfinal round. In the semifinals, Trevecca defeated Ursuline College. Kentucky Wesleyan College knocked off Trevecca in the title game. |
2014-15
Trevecca earned the second seed at the G-MAC Championships, hosted by Cedarville University. Trevecca received a bye in the quarterfinals but lost to third-seeded Kentucky Wesleyan College in the semifinals. |
2015-16
Trevecca entered the Great Midwest Championships as the fifth seed and upset Davis & Elkins College in the quarterfinals before falling to top-seeded Ursuline College in the semifinals. |
2018-19
Trevecca reached the postseason championships for the first time in three years as the eighth seed. Top-seed Walsh University ended the Trojan's season in the quarterfinals. |
2020-21
After a year away, due to COVID-19, the Trojans returned to the Great Midwest Championships as the seventh seed. Second-seeded Kentucky Wesleyan College defeated the Trojans in the quarterfinals. |
2022-23
Trevecca reached the Great Midwest Championships as the third seed and surprised almost everyone advancing to the title game. Trevecca beat sixth-seed Walsh University in the quarterfinals at Trojan Fieldhouse. In the semifinals at Ashland's Kates Gym, TNU defeated second seed Kentucky Wesleyan College. In the Finals, undefeated and No. 1 Ashland University ended Cinderella's run.
But, Trevecca advanced to the NCAA Championships for the first time in school history. Trevecca, the fifth seed, advanced to the semifinals with a quarterfinal win over fourth-seeded Michigan Tech University. Trevecca's run finally ended at the hands of the eventual undefeated national champions, No. 1 Ashland. |
2023-24
Trevecca pulled the road upset as the sixth seed, they won on the road in the Great Midwest Quarterfinals at third-seed Northwood University. TNU is 4-0 all-time versus Northwood.
Trevecca faces seventh seed Malone University in the semifinals on Friday. |
CARTER / WILKEN MAKE GREAT MIDWEST ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
The 2024 Great Midwest Athletic Conference All-Conference team includes TNU's
Keeley Carter on the first team and
Faith Wilken on the second team.
Carter is the fourth leading scorer in all of NCAA Division II at 21.3 points per game. This year, she leads the Great Midwest averaging 21.3 points per game and is averaging an impressive 8.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Carter is shooting 48.2% (200-415) from the field, 39.2% (38-97) from three-point range, and 83.2% (159-191) from the foul line.
In addition to leading the G-MAC in scoring Carter is second in three-point field goal percentage, second in free throw percentage, third in rebounding, fourth in assists, seventh in field goal percentage, and eighth in assist/turnover ratio.
For Wilken, she is averaging 13.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. She's shooting 41.3% (88-213) from the field, 33.6% (42-125) from three-point range, and 83.3% (35-42) from the foul line.
The senior guard tied a school record in the NCAA era with seven made three-pointers in a game. A record broken later in the season when her teammate and sister hit eight three-pointers in a game.
2023-24 PLAYER OF THE WEEK HONORS
KEELEY CARTER
Four times, including three consecutive weeks during the conference season, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference selected Carter as the Player of the Week (02/19, 02/12, 02/05, 12/11).
FAITH WILKEN
Wilken was honored by the Great Midwest Athletic Conference as their Player of the Week (01/29) once this season and earned the state-wide all-division Tennessee Sports Writer's Association Player of the Week (01/03) award once.
SEASON TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL NOTES
KEELEY CATER 2023-2024 SEASON NOTES
Four times, including three consecutive weeks during the conference season, the Great Midwest Athletic Conference selected Carter as the Player of the Week (02/19, 02/12, 02/05, 12/11).
Carter has scored in double figures in 27 of the 28 games played this season with nine (9) double-double games (points/rebounds).
One of those double-double nights provided Carter with another piece of history, she tied the NCAA era single game rebound record with 17 rebounds against Kentucky Wesleyan.
She has scored 20+ points in 15 games this year and 30+ points in three games, not including the 37 against APSU in an exhibition game.
KEELEY CARTER CAREER NOTES
Her career numbers are already one for the record books and once her career is over, even more records will have her name beside them.
Headed to the Great Midwest Semifinals, she has scored 1,791 career points. To put that into perspective, only Jennifer Wilson, a four-time All-American and member of the Trevecca Hall of Fame, has scored more points. Carter already holds the NCAA D2 era career scoring record. Jennifer Wilson holds the all-time (NAIA/NCAA) record with 2,109 points.
While Carter's scoring stands out most to many, her other numbers bely what is typical of high scoring basketball players. It is hard to find many in the history of the game who have scored 1700+ points and have 600+ rebounds. But Carter has that and more, she has 661 career rebounds. Second only to Rachel Raby (724) in the D2 era and is fourth on the all-time list. Jennifer Bognar has the most All-time (743).
So, you score a lot of points and grab a lot of rebounds, you probably don't have time or energy for much more. Not Carter. Her 319 assists are the most in the NCAA era.
Her numbers do not stop impressing there, she also has 133 steals, fourth most in the NCAA era and her 55 career blocks place her in the top five in the D2 era.
Carter has scored in double figures in 78 of her last 80 games and in 91 of her 96 career games.
YEAR |
Double Point
Games |
Double Reb.
Games |
Double
Double |
20+ Point
Games |
30+ Point
Games |
20-21 |
11 (of 12) |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
21-22 |
22 (of 24) |
3 |
3 |
11 |
|
22-23 |
31 (of 32) |
2 |
2 |
11 |
|
23-24 |
27 (of 28) |
9 |
9 |
15 |
3 |
TOTAL |
91 (of 96) |
18 |
18 |
41 |
3 |
Her 21.3 points per game average this season has pushed her career average to 18.7. Those two current averages, season and career, is the highest scoring average in each category in school history, NAIA or NCAA.
Her current career rebound average, 6.9 per game, is ranked second in the D2 era and rank her fifth All-time (NAIA/NCAA).
Her career assists average is 3.3 per game and currently ranks second in the NCAA era, sixth All-time including the NAIA era.
Carter set the NCAA era made field goals record last season but is now fourth on the all-time list. Same for the made free throws list, but she's second on the all-time list, six (6) behind Mariska Reed.
Her career three-point percentage is .371 is the highest in the NCAA era when she finishes her career.
CARTER SINGLE GAME SCORING RECORD
When it comes to single game scoring, her numbers continue to impress. She owns the all-time school record with a 39-point game earlier this season at Lake Erie. She also scored 37 vs Austin Peay State University, but won't count in the official records because the game counted as an exhibition for Trevecca, despite the game being the inaugural regular season game for the Govs in their new downtown arena.
MORE ON FAITH WILKEN
Wilken, who played for Ron Brock at Page High School, produced a career high 27 points against Lake Erie and added 13 rebounds for a double-double. She hit what was then a school record tying seven three-pointers.
The Nolensville, Tenn. native scored in double figures in 13 of her 19 games so far this season. She scored 20 or more points in three games this season.
Despite not playing several games in the first semester, Wilken has already reached a career high in steals (45), blocks (21), free throws made (35), and is nearing a career high in points scored and field goals made. She tied currently for the highest rebound average and has her second-best season scoring average.
The elder Wilken sister has 740 career points and 406 rebounds. She's hit 114 career three pointers and has 112 steals.
LILI WILKEN NOTES
Lili Wilken continues to expand her Trevecca resume in year two.
She has scored in double figures 16 times this year with a season high 26 against Cedarville when she hit eight three-pointers. She scored 20+ points twice.
Wilken grabbed a piece of history recently, knocking down and NCAA era record eight three-pointers. The sharp-shooting exhibition came on the road in a game at Cedarville. The performance ties her in the all-time record book with KC Van Atta who hit eight during the NAIA era.
The Nolensville, Tenn. native and Page High School star, is already well on her way to 1000 career points. She enters the Great Midwest Semifinal round with 629 career points. She's already hit 106 career three pointers and dished out 138 assists.
In the meeting with Cedarville in Nashville, Wilken had her season high in rebounding with seven.
She had eight steals in the Trojans win over Northwood in the G-MAC Quarterfinals. She had nine assists against Northwood in the regular season meeting.
She hit three or more three-pointers in ten games.
KONNOR GAMBRELL NOTES
The graduate transfer is averaging 12.3 points per game and already has 343 points and has 147 rebounds and 48 steals.
Gambrell scored in double figures 22 times this season and had a season high 20 against Tiffin.
Gambrell had two double-doubles, the first was a 15 point and 14 rebounds effort against nationally ranked Drury.
Her other double-double, was a 14 point and 11 rebound effort against the Timberwolves of Northwood in the G-MAC Quarterfinals.
She had nine games with three or more steals.
AMAYA THOMAS NOTES
Freshman
Amaya Thomas has continued to come on this season.
She's scored in double figures four times this season and had a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds against Lake Erie in Nashville.
KOR FORNESA LIU NOTES
Liu has scored in double figures 13 times with a season high 21 against Kentucky Wesleyan College.
The senior scored 20+ twice this year and has the highest field goal percentage, shooting 54.9% from the field.
Liu has four games with double figure rebounds and is averaging 6.2 rebounds per game.
She had a season high 11 rebounds against Hillsdale.
NCAA Division II – Active Career Leaders |
Keeley Carter |
No. 4 – Scoring Average (18.7 ppg)
No. 4 – Free Throws Made (482)
No. 13 – Scoring (1,791 points)
No. 14 – Free Throw Percentage (82.4%)
No. 22 – Field Goals Made (608) |
NCAA DIVISION II – 2023-24 RANKINGS |
Team |
No. 14 – Scoring Offense (76.2 ppg)
No. 20 – Three-point Percentage (35.0%)
No. 27 – Field Goal Percentage (44.4%) |
NCAA DIVISION II – 2023-24 RANKINGS |
Individuals |
Keeley Carter
No. 4 – Scoring Average (21.3 ppg)
No. 9 – Free Throws (159)
No. 11 – Field Goals (200) |
GREAT MIDWEST – 2023-24 RANKINGS |
Team |
No. 1 – Blocks (3.75 bpg)
No. 1 – Offensive Rebounds (13.0 rpg)
No. 2 – Scoring Offense (76.2 ppg)
No. 2 – Field Goal Percentage (44.4%)
No. 2 – Free Throw Percentage (75.1%)
No. 3 – Scoring Margin (9.2 ppg)
No. 3 – Rebounding (38.7 rpg)
No. 3 – Three-point Percentage (35.0%)
No. 3 – Turnover Margin (2.93)
No. 4 – Steals (9.61 spg) |
GREAT MIDWEST – 2023-24 RANKINGS |
Individuals |
Keeley Carter
No. 1 – Scoring Average (21.3 ppg)
No. 2 – Free Throw Percentage (82.8%)
No. 3 – Rebounding (8.1 rpg)
No. 4 – Assists (3.3 apg)
No. 6 – Assist/Turnover Ratio (1.1)
No. 7 – Field Goal Percentage (48.2%)
No. 16 – Steals (1.5 spg)
No. 20 – Three Point Field Goals Per Game (1.4)
Faith Wilken
No. 2 – Steals (2.4 spg)
No. 2 – Blocks (1.1 bpg)
No. 2 – Three Point Field Goals Per Game (2.2)
No. 5 – Three Point Percentage (33.6%)
No. 8 – Scoring Average (13.3 ppg)
No. 13 – Rebounding (6.1 rpg)
Kor Fornesa Liu
No. 11 – Rebounding (6.2 rpg)
Konnor Gambrell
No. 10 – Steals (1.7 spg)
No. 13 – Scoring Average (12.3 ppg)
No. 17 – Blocks (0.6 bpg)
No. 20 – Rebounding (5.3 rpg)
Lili Wilken
No. 3 – Three Point Percentage (35.9%)
No. 5 – Three Point Field Goals Per Game (2.0)
No. 17 – Assists (2.5 apg)
Monique Emelifeonwu
No. 13 – Blocks (0.7 bpg) |
SUCCESS RETURNS TO THE PURPLE AND WHITE
The Trevecca women's program had a long run of success during their NAIA years, including a trip to the national championship game in 2008. The team continued their winning ways early in the transition to NCAA Division II and the Great Midwest. Trevecca hosted the first two G-MAC Championships after winning the first two regular season championships.
The last few years the program didn't continue those winning ways. When
Karen Booker took over the program last year, she returned the winning ways and in a big way. That success has continued into her second season. Below is a look at the success the last two seasons as compared to the previous seven.
YEAR |
OVERALL |
2022-23 |
18-10 |
2023-24 |
22-10 |
TOTAL |
40-20 |
Trevecca won just 58 overall games (8.28 games per season) in the previous seven seasons.
YEAR |
G-MAC |
2022-23 |
13-7 |
2023-24 |
15-5 |
TOTAL |
28-12 |
Trevecca won just 45 G-MAC games (6.42 games per season) in the previous seven seasons.
YEAR |
HOME |
2022-23 |
10-4 |
2023-24 |
14-0 |
TOTAL |
24-4 |
Trevecca won just 36 home games (5.14 games per season) in the previous seven seasons.