November 10, 2013
Trojans Notch First Victory of Season
GEORGETOWN, Ky. - The Taylor women's basketball team picked up its first victory of the season, erasing a halftime deficit to defeat Saint Catherine 71-60.
Senior forward Becca Daniels scored 18 points and pulled down six rebounds in under 15 minutes of play to lead the Trojans as first-year head coach Kelly Packard picked up her first win as the Trojans' head coach.
"We valued the ball on the a much greater level which allowed us to win despite a low percentage shooting performance," Packard said. "Our mental toughness was challenged in overcoming a halftime deficit and choosing to trim a lead until we captured the lead."
Taylor (1-3) used a 14-4 run early in the second half to erase a 33-29 halftime deficit and take a 58-47 lead with just over seven minutes to play and the Trojans never allowed Saint Catherine to draw closer than seven down the stretch.
Taylor struggled with poor shooting in the first half, finishing the half 11-for-39 (28.2-percent) from the floor, as Saint Catherine built a 12 point lead with four minutes to play in the first half but the Trojans picked it up in second stanza, shooting 38.7-percent (12-31) from the floor and outscoring Saint Catherine 42-27 after the halftime break.
Taylor's senior guard combination of Kelsey Bryant and Kelci Freds scored 14 and 10 points, respectively, while sophomore Monica Compton added 11 points to round out four Trojans in double figures. Senior Ashley Fouch coordinated the offense with five assists while also pulling down nine rebounds to lead the Trojans in both categories.
Taylor outrebounded the Patriots 49-42, including 24 offensive rebounds. The Trojans also committed just 13 turnovers, their lowest output of the season, while forcing the Patriots into 15 miscues.
After opening the season with four consecutive road contests the Trojans will host No. 6 Roosevelt for the home opener next Saturday at 1:00 pm.