MEMPHIS – The Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball team (6-10, 3-7 GSC) picked up its second consecutive league win in overtime over Christian Brothers University (0-15, 0-10 GSC) 64-60 in Canale Arena on Thursday evening.
THE SERIES
Prior to tonight's contest, Trevecca and CBU had met just one other time in women's basketball. The Buccaneers defeated the Trojans during the 1977-78 season when both schools competed in the NAIA.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A quick start by the Trojans saw them lead by as many as five points in the first quarter after baskets from
Amaya Thomas,
Brianna Burgess,
Cheyenne Trotter and
Jeannae Bolin. Bolin's 3-pointer made it a 9-4 game. CBU, however, scored nine of its 13 first quarter points in the final four minutes to take a 13-12 lead into the second quarter.
The Buccaneers extended their advantage to start the second period by way of an extended 13-5 run which was capitalized by a pair of made free-throws at the 8:43 mark (17-14). The Trojans responded with a 6-2 push of their own which gave them the lead back at 20-19. CBU doubled up the Trojans in the final five minutes of play to earn a 27-24 edge at the break.
Defensively, the Trojans turned up the pressure in the third, only surrendering a total of four made field goals.
Cheyenne Trotter's layup at the 7:16 mark helped Trevecca regain the lead and a 10-2 stretch in the final four and a half minutes yielded a 40-35 Trojan advantage heading into the fourth.
Trotter opened the scoring in the fourth with a bucket before 11 straight CBU points gave the hosts a 46-42 lead with 4:43 to go.
Amaya Thomas tied the game over the next minute with four made free-throws. Chloe Crawford connected for a big 3-pointer to push CBU in control which Trotter answered with a basket. The Buccaneers hit three free-throws down the stretch and led 52-49 with :20 seconds to play.
Brianna Burgess splashed home a bucket from range with just over :8 seconds left to force overtime at 52-52.
Trevecca established the early lead in the extra period and did not look back. After a 56-56 tie was broken by Trotter's basket,
Jenissa Varela made it a four-point game with a pair of free-throws. The Trojans made all six of the shots at the foul line to seal things, 64-60.
THE TEAM
Trevecca shot 46.9% from the field. The Trojans were 3-10 (30%) from deep and shot 15-16 (93.8%) at the free-throw line. CBU won the battle of the boards, 36-35. The Trojans dished out more assists, 12-9 and also had more blocks, 5-1. CBU created more steals, 9-5.
THE PLAYERS
Amaya Thomas offered a team-high 17 points to go with 11 rebounds and five assists.
Cheyenne Trotter produced 14 points and nine rebounds with three blocks.
Tatum Shaw (9) and Jayada Woods (8) also added some scoring prowess.
UP NEXT
The Trojans close the rare three-game week with a stop in Jackson, Tennessee facing off against longtime NAIA rivals Union University (14-2, 9-0 GSC) on Saturday.
Tip off against the Bulldogs is set for 2:00 p.m. in Fred DeLay Gymnasium and will be the 45th all-time meeting between the two schools. Union holds a 38-6 advantage with Trevecca having last won during the 2006-07 season.
