NASHVILLE – The Trevecca Nazarene University women's basketball team enters postseason play with momentum, confidence, and a renewed sense of identity, hosting a Gulf South Conference Championship quarterfinal game for the third time in the past four seasons.
Trevecca, the fourth seed, hosts the fifth-seeded Lee Flames.
In the first year of the Doug Novak era, Trevecca has authored one of the most impressive turnarounds in NCAA Division II, posting a 17-10 overall record and a 14-8 mark in Gulf South Conference play. The Trojans finished fourth in the league standings, earning home-court advantage in the opening round of the 2026 GSC Championships.
Picked 11th in the conference preseason poll, Trevecca more than doubled its win total from a season ago and reestablished itself as a postseason mainstay, reaching their conference tournament for the third time in four years while working to make the regional round for the third time in three seasons.
The Trojans' postseason return is built on defensive consistency, rebounding dominance, and balanced perimeter production, with Trevecca averaging 68.2 points per game while allowing just 63.2, good for a +5.6-scoring margin.
2026 Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball Championships
Quarterfinals // Tuesday, March 2, 2026 // 7:00 PM
No. 4 Trevecca (17-10, 14-8 GSC) vs No. 5 Seed Lee University (18-9, 14-8 GSC)
Nashville, Tenn. // Trojan Fieldhouse inside the Mark R. Moore Center
Tickets | Live Stats | FloCollege Live Stream
QUARTERFINAL MATCH UP
Trevecca and Lee are meeting for the seventh time in the NCAA Division II era. The all-time NCAA series is even at 3-3. The Trojans swept the season series, earning the right to host the Flames in the quarterfinals as both teams finished 14-8 in league play.
In the first meeting, at Trojan Fieldhouse, on Jan. 4, Trevecca won easily, 71-51, with Jordon Gillies going off for 27 points, four rebounds, two assists, a block, and three steals.
Cheyenne Trotter scored 19 and grabbed nine rebounds.
In the rematch, at Paul Dana Walker Arena, in Cleveland on Valentines Day, the Flames led by eight at the half. Trevecca began to chip away and rallied to win 71-69. This time it was
Tatum Shaw going on for the Trojans with 25 points, hitting 6-9 from three-point range. The Trojans drained 15 three-pointers in the game.
Brianna Burgess added 16 and
Jordan Gillies scored 14.
By the Numbers | Lee vs. TNU
| |
LEE |
TNU |
| |
Rank / Number |
Rank / Number |
| SCORING |
7 / 65.7 |
6 / 68.2 |
| SCORE MARGIN |
3 / 7.5 |
4 / 5.6 |
| FG % |
6 / 40.9 |
5 / 42.3 |
| 3 PT % |
5 / 30.0 |
4 / 30.9 |
| FT % |
3 / 73.9 |
6 / 70.7 |
| REBOUNDS |
7 / 37.0 |
3 / 38.6 |
| REB MARGIN |
11 / 9.9 |
7 / 11.6 |
| TURNOVER MARGIN |
6 / .63 |
8 / -.33 |
| ASSIST-TO MARGIN |
4 / .85 |
4 / .85 |
| ASSISTS |
7 / 12.85 |
6 / 12.89 |
| BLOCKS |
1 / 2.93 |
2 / 2.89 |
| STEALS |
10 / 6.81 |
5 / 7.48 |
SEASON OVERVIEW
Trevecca's first season under Novak has witnessed discipline, efficient offense, and defensive resilience. The Trojans rank among the conference leaders in multiple statistical categories and have consistently won games with rim protection, rebounding control, and timely perimeter shooting.
According to Gulf South Conference rankings, Trevecca finished:
1st in Blocks Per Game (2.9)
3rd in Three-Point Field Goals Per Game (6.5)
The Trojans also averaged
38.6 rebounds per game, showcasing their interior presence and second-chance ability throughout the season.
Trevecca's resurgence included a six-game winning streak during conference play, multiple road victories, and a return to postseason hosting after navigating a difficult 2024-25 campaign.
INDIVIDUAL SEASON AWARDS
Cheyenne Trotter | GSC Player of the Wee | 11.25.25
Jordan Gillies | TSWA Player of the Week | 1.27.26
Cheyenne Trotter | TSWA Player of the Wee | 11.19.25
Trevecca's formula has remained consistent: defend the paint, control the glass, and space the floor offensively.
The Trojans enter postseason play averaging:
·
2.9 Blocks Per Game
·
6.5 Three-Pointers Per Game
·
38.6 Rebounds Per Game
Trevecca's interior defense and rebounding edge have provided a reliable foundation, while balanced scoring from the perimeter has supplied timely offensive bursts.
TREVECCA RECORDS
RECORDS SET
Tatum Shaw
3-PT FG Made - Season - 59 / Previous Record 58 Lili Wilken
Minutes Played - Season - 987:11 / Previous Record 979 Keeley Carter
Cheyenne Trotter
Defensive Rebounds - Season - 193 / Previous Record 178 Keeley Carter
Rebounds - Season - 295 / Previous Record Rachel Raby record 260
Defensive Rebound - Game - 12 / Ties Record of Christina Curtner & Emma Palmer 12
Rebounds - Game - 18 / Previous Record 17 Rachel Raby & Keeley Carter
RECORDS UNDER PRESSURE
Cheyenne Trotter
Rebound Average - Season - 10.9 RPG / Record 9.29 RPG Rachel Raby
Rebound Average - Career - 9.7 RPG / Record 7.17 RPG Brittin Boyer
Jordan Gillies
Assists – Season - 115 / Record 118 Christina Curtner
INDIVIDUAL SEASON NOTES
Jordan Gillies – All-Around Floor General
Gillies delivered one of the most impressive seasons in the conference, impacting games in scoring, playmaking, shot blocking, and perimeter efficiency.
427 Points (15.8 PPG)
115 Assists (4.3 APG)
36 Blocks
55 Three-Pointers Made
Conference Rankings:
No. 3 Assists
No. 2 Assists Per Game
No. 3 Blocks
No. 2 Blocks Per Game
No. 3 Three-Point Percentage
Cheyenne Trotter – Dominance on the Glass
Trotter has authored one of the most statistically dominant seasons in Trevecca NCAA history, emerging as one of the top rebounders in NCAA Division II.
295 Rebounds (10.9 RPG)
385 Points (14.3 PPG)
14 Double-Doubles
Conference Rankings:
No. 1 Rebounds
No. 1 Rebounds Per Game
No. 1 Offensive Rebounds Per Game
No. 1 Double-Doubles
National Rankings:
No. 7 Total Rebounds
No. 11 Rebounds Per Game
No. 14 Double-Doubles
Records Watch:
Trotter is on pace to establish a new single-season rebound average record and stands one rebound shy of tying for third all-time in program history.
Tatum Shaw – Perimeter Production
Shaw has anchored Trevecca's perimeter attack while leading the conference in minutes played.
341 Points (12.6 PPG)
59 Three-Pointers Made
36.6 Minutes Per Game
Conference Rankings:
No. 2 Minutes Per Game
No. 4 Three-Point Field Goals Made
No. 3 Three-Pointers Per Game
THE NOVACK FILE: Year One Impact
In his first season on the Hill, Doug Novak engineered an immediate turnaround, guiding Trevecca to a postseason return while doubling the team's win total from the previous year.
Novak recorded his first career win at Trevecca in the season opener at Barry, igniting early momentum that included a 6–1 start and a six-game midseason winning streak. His team consistently demonstrated defensive discipline, rebounding toughness, and late-game composure.
Under Novak, Trevecca secured its
third postseason appearance in four seasons, reinforcing the program's trajectory toward sustained success.
TREVECCA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL // COACH HISTORY
POSTSEASON STORYLINES
Rebounding Edge:
Led by Trotter, Trevecca's interior dominance supplies consistent second-chance opportunities and defensive stability.
Perimeter Production:
With Shaw and Gillies both chasing single-season three-point records, the Trojans enter postseason play with dynamic spacing and shooting depth.
Defensive Presence:
Ranking first in the GSC in blocks per game, Trevecca has protected the rim at an elite level, anchoring one of the league's most consistent defenses.
PROGRAM MOMENTUM
Trevecca's postseason return continues a stretch of success over the last four years that includes:
Three postseason appearances in four seasons
Two NCAA Midwest Regional berths (2023, 2024)
Two conference championship game appearances
The first Doug Novak season has the Trojans reclaiming their position as a postseason threat, blending program history with a renewed identity under Novak.
The season has seen record-setting individual performances and a home-court advantage, earning them a game in Trojan Fieldhouse in the quarterfinals.
Trevecca enters the 2026 Gulf South Conference Championships positioned for another meaningful March run.
TREVECCA NCAA DIVISION II POSTSEASON HISTORY
| SEASON |
CONF |
SEED |
RESULT |
RECORD |
| 2012-13 |
G-MAC |
1 |
Finals |
1-1 |
| 2013-14 |
G-MAC |
1 |
Finals |
2-1 |
| 2014-15 |
G-MAC |
2 |
Semifinal |
0-1 |
| 2015-16 |
G-MAC |
5 |
Semifinal |
1-1 |
| 2018-19 |
G-MAC |
8 |
Quarterfinal |
0-1 |
| 2020-21 |
G-MAC |
7 |
Quarterfinal |
0-1 |
| 2022-23 |
G-MAC |
3 |
Finals |
2-1 |
| 2023-24 |
G-MAC |
6 |
Finals |
2-1 |
| 2025-26 |
GSC |
4 |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
8-8 |
NEW ERA TROJANS (last four seasons)
| OVERALL |
| YEAR |
W |
L |
| 2022-23 |
22 |
10 |
| 2023-24 |
19 |
12 |
| 2024-25 |
8 |
20 |
| 2025-26 |
17 |
10 |
| TOTAL |
66 |
52 |
Previous seven seasons: 58 overall wins (8.28 games per season)
| CONFERENCE |
| YEAR |
W |
L |
| 2022-23 |
15 |
5 |
| 2023-24 |
13 |
7 |
| 2024-25 |
5 |
17 |
| 2025-26 |
14 |
8 |
| TOTAL |
47 |
37 |
Previous seven seasons: 45 wins in conference (6.42 games per season)
| TROJAN FIELDHOUSE |
| YEAR |
W |
L |
| 2022-23 |
14 |
0 |
| 2023-24 |
10 |
4 |
| 2024-25 |
6 |
7 |
| 2025-26 |
9 |
4 |
| TOTAL |
39 |
15 |
Previous seven seasons: 36 home wins (5.14 games per season)
TREVECCA NCAA DIVISION II POSTSEASON HISTORY
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 defeated seventh seed Malone University in the semifinals on Friday earning a spot in the Great Midwest Finals for the fourth time overall and second season in a row. It was the first ever win over the Pioneers who had taken the W in the first 10 meetings.
No. 1 Ashland University didn't waste time dashing the Trojans hopes for their first Great Midwest Championships title with a 33-11 second quarter run. The Eagles are now 30-1 on the year and are 8-0 all-time against the Trojans. |
