![TU Falls to Bethel in League Opener](/images/2018-19/WomenBasketball/wbb_action19_team1_asbury.jpg)
TU Falls to Bethel in League Opener
UPLAND, Ind. – A close-knit battle got away from the No. 19 Trojans, as they stumbled by a 61-57 margin to their Crossroads League opponent Bethel (6-3, 1-0 CL).
Momentum was in favor of the Purple and Gold in the first quarter. TU (7-2, 0-1 CL) took a 10-point lead, after scoring six-straight points in a 20 second span.
Kendall Bradbury led the charge in the initial stanza, collecting 10 points and five rebounds. The senior finished the night with 19 points and nine boards, going seven-of-16 from the field.
Bethel found its groove heading into the second period, putting together a 14-1 run from the final bucket of the first until there was just two minutes remaining in the second.
On their heels, the Trojans came out of the half down five but determined to battle back. Bradbury and Becca Buchs tallied six points in the third period, regaining the lead heading into the final quarter.
Both teams had its chances with five lead changes and two ties in the final 10 minutes of action. A clutch bucket from Bethel's Glenn created separation with 18 seconds remaining and TU was unable to answer. Final free throws from the Pilots sealed the game, as Taylor fell to a 7-2 mark on the season.
Taylor dominated the glass, picking up 13 more rebounds than the visitors, including eight more offensive boards.
Becca Buchs was a key part of the rebounding effort, finishing with a career-high 11 rebounds. Buchs also shot six-of-12 from the floor, gathering 19 points on the night.
No. 19 TU (7-2, 0-1 CL) will head to Kingsport, Tennessee for a pair of contests, competing against No. 3 Southeastern (4-0) on Friday at 7:00 pm and No. 24 Rio Grande (6-0) on Saturday at 7:00 pm.