Crisp All-Around Performance Powers Trojans to Victory

UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor women's basketball team tipped off the Trojan Classic with a 65-53 non-league win over Lawrence Tech (3-7) Tuesday afternoon.

A slow start on offense for TU led to the Blue Devils building a slight advantage at 13-12 seven minutes into the contest, but Ava Henson – who tallied eight first-period points – put the Trojans in front for good at the two-minute mark of the first with a layup to claim a 14-13 lead.

Taylor's defense was active in the second quarter with five steals en route to seven turnovers forced in the frame to put Taylor on top at the half, 29-24. Quinn Kelly was key off the bench in the opening 20 minutes with an efficient six points and a team-high five rebounds, while Jillian Osswald led Taylor in transition with two steals and three dimes.

Henson tacked on another six points in the third quarter as the Trojans closed the period on a 7-0 run to open up a 46-36 advantage entering the fourth.

The offense kept humming in the final quarter, highlighted by a nifty assist in the lane by Taylor Westgate which led to an easy layup converted by Claycee West to give TU a 16-point lead. Triples by Henson and Maycee Woods in the quarter cemented Taylor's advantage to close the game, as the host-Trojans shot 50.0 percent in the final frame to seal the victory.

Taylor (5-7, 1-2 CL) committed a season-low six turnovers on the night, while it forced 17 from the visitors. TU also owned a large advantage from the free-throw line, going 12-for-16 while the Blue Devils only had four attempts all game.

Henson finished as the lone Trojan in double figures with 17 points to go along with six rebounds, three assists, a block and a steal. Hope Custer knocked down all four of her free-throws to lift her to nine points in the game, and she added a game-high nine rebounds. Despite an off shooting night from Westgate, the forward was active with eight rebounds, two steals and a game-high three blocks.

The Trojans are back in action on Wednesday to face Indiana University – Kokomo (3-7) at 6 p.m. in the final game of the 2023 Trojan Classic inside Odle Arena.