BABSON PARK, Fla. – Saturday afternoon marked the third and final game for the Taylor women's basketball team on its holiday trip to Florida, where the Trojans held on to defeat Keiser (10-6) by a final score of 63-61.
Taylor led for nearly 38 minutes of Saturday's action - 94.3 percent of the game to be precise - including a 21-point lead midway through the third quarter. Though a second-half offensive slump suffered by the Trojans crafted space for a Keiser comeback, who took its first lead of the game, 61-60, with just two and a half minutes remaining.
With 80 ticks on the clock, however, a Taylor Westgate layup returned the lead to Taylor, who eventually held on to win by a two-point margin as Keiser missed a potential game-winning three-point shot at the buzzer.
Westgate totaled 12 points and nine rebounds by game's end, missing out on her sixth double-double of the season by a single board. Gretchen Moll, meanwhile, tallied the fifth double-double of her senior campaign by combining 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Trojan offense.
Moll and the Trojans were electric in the opening half, nurturing a 45-26 lead while shooting 54.3 percent from the floor and 6-13 from deep. Eight different Trojans scored in the first half, while six players recorded a made three-pointer.
Facilitating much of the Taylor offense in the first half was junior guard, Claycee West, who finished the night with a career-best nine assists, six of which came in the first quarter alone. West would later hit a three at the buzzer, capping a 14-3 run to send the Trojans to locker room with a 19-point lead at half.
A similar streak of impressive play capped the first quarter, however, as the Trojans executed an 11-2 run in the final four minutes of the opening frame to establish a 12-point lead over the Seahawks. Moll scored 10 of her 17 points in the first quarter, including eight of Taylor's momentous run to close the quarter.
In the second frame, a more balanced offensive attack powered Taylor en route to its 19-point lead at the half. Six different Trojans scored three or more points in the second quarter, including Hope Custer, who led the charge with five.
Points in the paint proved a pivotal factor throughout the first half of game action, as the Trojans worked a 24-12 edge over Keiser in that way. Taylor outrebounded the Seahawks 25-13 in the first two quarters, dominating both ends of the court while creating an 11-2 advantage in second-chance points.
Moll and Westgate served a dynamic duo in this way, combining for 22 points on 64.7-percent shooting and 14 rebounds in the opening half of play.
The second half unfolded in a different manner, however, as Keiser outscored the Trojans 35-18 while Taylor shot just 28.0 percent from the floor as a unit. Meanwhile, Keiser outrebounded Taylor 21-13 in the second half and capitalized on seven TU turnovers throughout its comeback effort.
The Trojans managed to hold on, however, earning their second win in as many days.
Taylor (9-6, 2-3 CL) is now set to return north for a matchup with Goshen (6-9, 1-4 CL) on January 4, when the Trojans will play guest at 7:00 pm.
