Second-Half Woes Hurt Taylor Women's Basketball in Road Loss

CHICAGO – The Roosevelt University Lakers overcame a five-point deficit at the half and outscored Taylor by 15 points in the final frame Saturday to defeat the Trojans 66-56.

Saturday's game was much different than last year's meeting between the two teams in what was a high-scoring affair, as then No. 6 ranked Roosevelt escaped Odle Arena with a 95-94 victory in overtime.

Taylor began the game well and the two sides exchanged multiple baskets, but with the game tied 14-14 the Trojans went on a run of nine consecutive points to seize control. Taylor's largest lead was 12 with just over three minutes to play in the opening half, but the Lakers were able to trim the Trojan lead to just five at the break.

The Lakers continued their momentum and were able to grab a 43-42 lead following a three-point basket by Paige Gallimore with just over ten minutes to play. Following a basket from each team, Roosevelt went on a big run of its own, rattling off ten straight points to establish a 55-44 lead at the 4:45 mark of the second half.

Taylor was unable to recover, and the Lakers never allowed the Trojans to within seven points in the final minutes.

Roosevelt was very balanced offensively with four players in double-figure scoring, led by guard Becky Wilford's 15 point effort. Forward Erica Jordan had a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Gallimore had 10 points and seven rebounds.

Freshman Megan Richardson came off the bench to lead Taylor in scoring with 14 points while also contributing eight rebounds and three steals before fouling out. Senior forward Erinn Behn was an efficient 5-8 from the field on her way to an 11 point, seven rebound performance. Emma Brattain also added nine points and three assists.

Taylor won the turnover battle, creating 21 Laker turnovers and accumulating nine steals. The Trojans turned the ball over 16 times in the loss. Roosevelt won the battle on the glass, outrebounding the Trojans 42-36.

It was the shooting from the field however that was a key difference in the contest, as Taylor struggled its way to 33.9 percent in the contest, compared to Roosevelt's 43.4 percent mark.

"We struggled to make enough of our uncontested shots from the floor, and we continue to inconsistently implement the basic standards within our man-to-man defense," said Taylor second-year head coach Kelly Packard.

Taylor (2-2) will next play on Tuesday, as the Trojans travel to play Wilberforce University with the tip scheduled for 7:00 pm.