Trojans Hold Off Tabor to Remain Unbeaten

The Taylor women's basketball team held off a pesky Tabor team on Saturday afternoon, notching a 75-72 victory over the Blue Jays on the second day of the Sterling Classic.

Senior forwards Erika Redweik and Erin Guarneri paced the Trojans with 24 and 21 points, respectively as the Trojans improved to 5-0 on the year.

Taylor closed the first half with back-to-back baskets from Guarneri and Redweik to claim a 40-34 halftime advantage and the Trojans quickly extended that lead to ten with a score by Shayna Wood and two free throws from Kelsey Bryant to begin the second stanza.

Tabor (2-4) slowly climbed back into the game as the second half wore on, clawing all the way back to claim its first lead since midway through the first half when Nikki Lewis knocked a pass away and finished the breakaway layup to give the Blue Jays a 57-56 lead with just over eight minutes remaining.

The game would see five more lead changes and four more ties over the final eight minutes before the Trojans reclaimed the lead for the final time with 1:07 to play when Redweik knocked down a mid-range jumper to give the Trojans a 71-70 lead. Senior Tess Rudolph closed out the game with a pair of free throws as the Trojans began the year with five straight wins for the second straight season.

"This was a very good, hard fought win for us," Taylor coach Tena Krause said. "Tabor is a big, physical team and they tested us but we executed the game plan and we were able to keep our composure and make plays down the stretch."

Bryant added ten points and Rudolph finished with eight as Taylor shot 44.1 percent (26-59) from the floor, including 38.5 percent (5-13) from 3-point range.

Guarneri led Taylor to a dominate performance on the glass, pulling down 13 rebounds four her first double-double of the season and helping Taylor to a 47-35 rebounding advantage.

The Trojans forced 14 Tabor turnovers but committed 19 miscues of their own while also dishing out 15 assists- led by Kelci Freds with four.

Lewis and Janelle Rush each scored 20 points to pace Tabor who was held to just 39.1 percent (25-64) shooting, including just 25.9 percent (7-27) from 3-point range.

Taylor tips off Crossroads League play next as the Trojans travel to Goshen on Tuesday night with tip-off against the Maple Leafs set for 7:00 pm.