Custer Spearheads Comeback Effort at Midway

MIDWAY, Ky. – 22 second-half points from Hope Custer and a re-energized defensive effort late by the Taylor women's basketball team nearly snapped TU's four-game losing skid on Wednesday night at Midway (1-3), but the comeback attempt fell just short in an 83-76 defeat.

The Trojans found themselves down by seven less than five minutes into the game, but they were able to climb back to tie the score at 14 apiece late in the first quarter. A 9-0 run from the Eagles to end the period brought them ahead 23-14, though, and they extended the lead to 42-30 at halftime.

TU was led in the first half by Ava Henson with 13 points. The senior's ability to drive past defenders helped her draw six free throws, and Henson cashed in on all of them. 10 made free throws in the first half helped keep Taylor in the game, but hot outside shooting from Midway prevented the Trojans from threatening to take a lead.

Custer was able to consistently drive inside the paint with relative ease to open the second half, and she made the Eagles pay with 15 points in the third quarter alone. Both teams were getting – and converting upon – quality looks throughout the period with a combined 51 points being put on the board across a frenetic 10 minutes of play. It was Midway that took a 69-54 lead with it to the final quarter, however.

Head coach Cassie Wiseman's Trojans picked up their defensive intensity in the fourth quarter, and it soon led to a quick 7-2 burst to open the period. Taylor methodically kept at its comeback effort over the next couple minutes, and a set play call in front of the Trojan bench led to a Claycee West three-pointer to make it 76-71 with just over four minutes remaining. A few possessions later, Custer converted on the second of a pair of and-one opportunities in the fourth to pull TU to within two at 78-76, but Midway made the plays and shots it needed in order to ice the game.

Custer finished her night with a career-high 29 points and 13 rebounds, good for her second double-double of the season. Those 29 points mark the most any Trojan has had thus far this season. Henson continued her stretch of strong performances with 18 points and five rebounds, while West rounded TU's players out in double figures with 13 points, eight of which came in a clutch fourth quarter.

As a team, Taylor went 29-63 for a solid 46.0 percent clip from the field to edge Midway's 43.1 percent shooting in the same category. While the total stat lines between the teams were relatively even across the board, the Eagles' 13 made three-pointers compared to the Trojans' six stood out in the seven-point ballgame.

Taylor (3-5) returns home on Saturday, Nov. 18 to tip off Crossroads League play against Saint Francis (6-1) at 1 p.m.