SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The Taylor (2-1) women's basketball team took part in day one of the 2022 Blue Devils Classic on Friday evening, when the Trojans fell to Siena Heights (1-0) by a final score of 73-65.
Siena Heights surged in the second half, outscoring the Trojans by 11 points in the final 20 minutes of the game en route an eight-point season-opening victory.
Taylor shot a sharper percentage than Siena Heights, both from the floor and from deep, but 15 offensive rebounds grabbed by the Saints and 23 Trojan turnovers slid the scales in favor of Siena Heights.
Junior guard, Claycee West, fueled the Trojan offensive attack early, posting eight points in the game's first 10-minute stretch. Though eight TU turnovers and six offensive rebounds for Siena Heights opened the door for the Saints to close the first quarter with a 16-14 lead.
Taylor then took back the momentum throughout the second period, working a three-point edge heading into the half. Taylor Westgate led the charge with six second-quarter points, alongside five rebounds by West while the Trojans shot 7-13 from the floor.
Westgate added 11 points to her total in the third quarter, though the remaining TU cast scored just four while Siena Heights outscored Taylor 20-15 to take back the lead.
Siena Heights then sealed the deal with a strong fourth quarter performance in which the Saints shot 8-11 from the floor, which ultimately prevented a perseverant TU effort at a comeback.
Westgate finished the game with a team-high 22 points in tandem with six rebounds. Meanwhile, Ava Henson worked a strong fourth-quarter effort to finish with 14 total points on 5-5 shooting. West then finished with 11 points and six rebounds, while Ariel Dale offered a team-high six assists.
Taylor (2-1) will look to re-enter the win column tomorrow evening, when the Trojans take the court for day two of the Blue Devils Classic against weekend host, Lawrence Tech (1-0).
