NASHVILLE – March has returned to form for the Trevecca Nazarene University Trojans women's basketball team.
 
The No. 4 seeded Trojans (18-10, 14-8 GSC) head to SportsMED Arena inside Spragins Hall on Thursday night for a 6 p.m. semifinal matchup with top-seeded Alabama-Huntsville (27-3, 21-1 GSC) in the 2026 Gulf South Conference Women's Basketball Championships — the latest step in a season that has firmly reestablished Trevecca as a postseason presence.
 
In year one under Doug Novak, the Trojans have more than doubled last season's win total, pieced together a six-game conference winning streak and secured their third postseason appearance in four years. Monday's 63-53 quarterfinal win over Lee was emblematic of this group's identity — disciplined, resilient and composed late.
 
Cheyenne Trotter delivered her 15th double-double of the season with 19 points and 14 rebounds, taking control in the final three minutes with back-to-back baskets that swung momentum for good.
 
Jordan Gillies and Tatum Shaw each added 12 points, and Trevecca sealed the victory at the free-throw line, converting 18-of-22 attempts while turning 15 Lee turnovers into 20 points. The Trojans limited their own mistakes to just eight turnovers in a tightly contested postseason battle.
 
That performance reflects Trevecca's formula all season: defend the paint, control the glass and execute in key moments. The Trojans lead the GSC in blocks per game (2.9), rank among the league leaders in three-pointers per game (6.5) and average nearly 39 rebounds per contest. Trotter's 308 rebounds and 11.0 rebounds per game pace the conference and rank nationally, while Gillies — a First Team All-GSC selection — has impacted games across the stat sheet with 439 points, 119 assists and 37 blocks. Shaw has added perimeter production, setting a program single-season record with 61 three-pointers.
 
Alabama-Huntsville advanced with an 80-61 win over West Alabama on Monday night, placing five players in double figures. GSC Player of the Year Lili Wilken led the way with 26 points and eight rebounds as the Chargers shot 50 percent from three-point range and remained unbeaten at home (16-0). UAH won both regular-season meetings and earned the right to host after capturing the conference regular-season title.
   
SEMIFINAL MATCH UP: #1 UAH vs #4 TNU
Thursday marks the 17th NCAA Division II era meeting between the programs, with Trevecca holding a 9-7 edge in the all-time series. However, UAH has won the last 4 and swept the season series, earning the chance to host the Trojans in the semifinal round.
 
In the first meeting this year, in Huntsville, on Dec. 11, the Chargers won 61-80. The Chargers also won a close one in the rematch on Jan. 31 by a final score of 51-65. In that game, Tatum Shaw scored 16 points for the Trojans and added 4 rebounds.
 
While UAH enters as the top seed, the Trojans arrive in Huntsville playing their best basketball of the season — both teams are battle-tested and ready to battle in the semifinal game with the winner getting the nod to the GSC Championship Final.
 
GSC AWARDS BY TEAM
This semifinal match comes with four players, two on each team, with significant hardware from the 2026 Gulf South All-Conference team.
 
Trevecca
Jordan Gillies- First Team All-GSC
Cheyenne Trotter- Second Team All-GSC
 
UAH
Lili Wilken- GSC Player of the Year, First Team All-GSC
Bella White- Third Team All-GSC
 
Lili Wilken had the best season in recent GSC history as she averaged 22 points per game and broke the UAH scoring record with 660 points. The incredible senior shot 50.5% from the field and was a game changer each week. Wilken spent the first two seasons of her college career playing for the Trojans as she was a part of the G-MAC runner-up team during the 2023-24 season. She transferred to UAH where she continues to thrive, leading the Chargers to the best regular season record in conference play and a No. 1 seed.
 
By the Numbers | TNU vs. UAH

	UAH	TNU
	Rank / Number	Rank / Number
SCORING	2 / 76.7	6 / 67.8
SCORE MARGIN	1 / 17.9	4 / 5.9
FG %	1 / 46.1	5 / 41.8
3 PT %	1 / 37.6	4 / 30.2
FT %	2 / 76.3	5 / 71.7
REBOUNDS	2 / 38.8	3 / 38.7
REB MARGIN	2 / 7.2	7 / 3.0
TURNOVER MARGIN	5 / 1.84	6 / 0.17
ASSIST-TO MARGIN	1 / 1.20	3 / .87
ASSISTS	2 / 14.00	4 / 12.76
BLOCKS	4 / 2.48	2 / 2.83
STEALS	10 / 6.68	5 / 7.31

 
SEASON OVERVIEW
Trevecca's first season under Novak has witnessed discipline, efficient offense, and defensive resilience. The Trojans relentless attention to detail has powered them to a quarterfinal victory over Lee and a chance to challenge the 1 seeded Chargers.
 
According to Gulf South Conference rankings, Trevecca finished the regular season:

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 WEEKLY AWARDS

Cheyenne Trotter | GSC Player of the Week | 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 the semifinals averaging:

2.83 Blocks Per Game
6.3 Three-Pointers Per Game
38.7 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 - 60 / Previous Record 58 Lili Wilken
Minutes Played - Season – 1,007 / Previous Record 979 Keeley Carter
 
Cheyenne Trotter
Defensive Rebounds - Season - 200 / Previous Record 178 Keeley Carter
Rebounds - Season - 308 / 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
 
Jordan Gillies
Assists – Season - 119 / Record 118 Christina Curtner
 
RECORDS UNDER PRESSURE
 
Cheyenne Trotter
Rebound Average - Season – 11.0 RPG / Record 9.29 RPG Rachel Raby
Rebound Average - Career - 9.9 RPG / Record 7.17 RPG Brittin Boyer
 
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.
 
439 Points (15.7 PPG)
119 Assists (6.6 APG)
37 Blocks
55 Three-Pointers Made
 
Conference Rankings:
No. 2 Assists
No. 2 Assists Per Game
No. 2 Blocks
No. 2 Blocks Per Game
 
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.
 
308 Rebounds (11.0 RPG)
404 Points (14.4 PPG)
15 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. 9 Total Rebounds
No. 12 Rebounds Per Game
No. 13 Double-Doubles
 
Tatum Shaw – Perimeter Production
Shaw has anchored Trevecca's perimeter attack while leading the conference in minutes played.

365 Points (13.0 PPG)
60 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 NOVAK FILE: Year One Impact
In his first season on the Hill, Doug Novak engineered an immediate turnaround, guiding Trevecca to a postseason return while more than 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

COACH	YEARS	ALL	CONF	POST
Doug Novak	1 (2025-26)	18-10	14-8	1-0
Karen Booker	3 (2022-25)	49-42	33-29	5-4
Chad Hibdon	6 (2017-22)	49-99	38-70	0-2
Gary Van Atta	11 (2005-16)	216-120	116-50	21-15
Julie Van Beek (Heisey)	9 (1996-05)	162-119	76-54	12-15
Mary Lou Pennington	1 (1977-78)	0-6	NA	NA
Debbie Lore	2 (1975-77)	0-14	NA	NA
TOTAL	33 YEARS	493-412	277-211	39-36

 
POSTSEASON STORYLINES
Rebounding Edge:
Led by Trotter, Trevecca's interior dominance supplies consistent second-chance opportunities and defensive stability.
Perimeter Production:
With Shaw having already set the new 3-point record and Gillies close on her heels, 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, beating Lee three times in one season, and punching their ticket to the semifinals.
 
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	Quarterfinal	1-0
				9-8

 
NEW ERA TROJANS (last four seasons)

OVERALL
YEAR	W	L
2022-23	22	10
2023-24	19	12
2024-25	8	20
2025-26	18	10
TOTAL	67	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	10	4
TOTAL	40	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.