![Trojans Erupt in Victory Over Spring Arbor](/images/2016-17/WomenBasketball/Wyse_SAU.jpg)
Trojans Erupt in Victory Over Spring Arbor
UPLAND, Ind. – After scoring only 102 total points in two games last week, the Taylor women's basketball team erupted for its fourth-highest output of the season on Wednesday night in an 81-76 victory over Spring Arbor at Paul Patterson Court.
The Trojans jumped out to an 11-to-three lead after six minutes of action, but SAU clawed back to take a 13-12 lead with a minute left in the period. TU answered with four free throws to make it a 16-13 lead after the first quarter, despite six turnovers compared to five made field goals in the stanza. The five makes from the field, however, came on only nine attempts for an efficient 55.6-percent conversion rate.
The Cougars caught fire in the second period, knocking down 11-of-18 (61.1 percent) of their shots from the floor and four-of-nine (44.4 percent) from distance to outscore Taylor, 29-16, in the quarter. Both teams were knotted at 32 points apiece with 2:24 remaining in the half, but Spring Arbor scored 10 unanswered points to close out the quarter to take a 42-32 lead into intermission.
SAU (11-12, 2-9 CL) held a 15-to-four advantage on points off turnovers to counter the Trojans' 20-10 scoring edge in the paint in the first half, and the visitors also converted seven-of-14 from deep compared to TU's zero-of-two from behind the three-point line.
In the third quarter, it was Taylor who found the offensive spark. The Purple and Gold shot a blistering 11-of-17 (64.7 percent) from the field in the third quarter, while assisting on nine of the 11 field goals. A 15-to-four run to begin the second half gave the Trojans a three-point lead, 49-46, with five minutes to go in the third period. TU maintained its edge until a seven-to-zero by the Cougars made it 59-55 in favor of Spring Arbor with one quarter left to play.
The Trojans steadily built up an eight-point lead over the first nine minutes of the final period, taking a 76-68 advantage into the final minute of play. SAU converted on two triples and a deuce on its final three possessions of the game to cut the TU lead to three with 9.7 seconds to play, but Kendall Bradbury's free throws in the final seconds secured the 81-76 victory for Taylor.
Bradbury was three assists away from a triple-double, posting 23 points, 14 rebounds and seven helpers on the night. Cassidy Wyse scored an identical 23 points on nine-of-14 shooting and ripped down 13 boards, while Josie Cobb added nine points and five dimes for the Trojans.
TU (10-13, 5-6 CL) will return to the hardwood on Saturday, as the Trojans travel to Indianapolis to take on No. 5 Marian (20-3, 10-1 CL) at 1:00 pm.