Trojans Stay Hot in 2022 with Road Win at Spring Arbor

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Taylor University women's basketball team defeated Spring Arbor (4-20, 1-11) on the road by a score of 68-61, now having beaten the Cougars in 21-consecutive matchups and moving to 29-3 all-time against their neighbor to the north.

Furthermore, the Trojans are now 6-1 in 2022, outscoring the competition by an average of 18.5 points in those six wins.

A strong first-half defensive effort in tandem with an effective Taylor Westgate offensive presence fostered a 10-point halftime lead. Though Spring Arbor outscored the Trojans 38-35 in the second half, a few timely Merideth Deckard three-point baskets and a series of clutch free-throws kept the Cougars at bay.

Deckard finished the game with 21 points for her second-consecutive 20-point game, while Westgate collected her seventh-straight double-double with 13 points along with 11 boards. As a team, Taylor capitalized on 14 of 16 trips to the charity stripe, an 87.5-percent mark that made up for a 27.8-percent line from three.

Lauren James and Claycee West combined for 25 more points, rounding out the starting lineup with Kayla Kirtley who added four points and nine rebounds. James moved closer to the 1,000-career-point milestone with 14 points on the night, now eagerly sitting at 986 career-points.

James and the Trojans (13-10, 7-4) will be back in action for a Senior Day Saturday matchup with Grace (17-10, 7-8) on February 12th at 1:00 pm, a fitting time for the senior to eclipse the 1,000-point mark.