Trio of Trojans Drop 20-Plus Points to Sweep Trojan Classic

Broadcast Highlights

UPLAND, Ind. – Hope Custer, Taylor Westgate and Ava Henson combined for 64 points to lead the TU women's basketball team (6-7, 1-2 CL) past Indiana University-Kokomo (3-8, 0-3 RSC) on Wednesday night to sweep its own Trojan Classic. Taylor won all four quarters by at least two points, and it never trailed in the game as it heads into the new year having won three of its past four contests.

For the second consecutive night, Henson had a strong first quarter with nine points, and it was capped off by a successful and-one attempt on a layup to give the Trojans a 19-14 lead. Westgate complemented Henson with six points, two assists and eight rebounds in a dominant opening quarter. Those eight rebounds after one frame eclipsed IUK's seven team rebounds through the first 10 minutes of play.

As Henson had done in the first period, the senior closed the first half with another successful and-one attempt, this time on a four-point play as she was fouled while burying a left-wing three. Both Henson and Westgate had double figures by halftime as Taylor pushed its lead to 35-28 at the break.

The Cougars clawed back to tie the game at 37 in the third quarter, but Custer put an end to IUK's comeback with an incredible scoring spree in which she scored all 13 of TU's points across a six-plus minute span to begin the second half. Custer finished with 16 points in a quarter that included four three-point plays, with two coming from beyond the arc and two earned the old-fashioned way. When the quarter had closed, Taylor was comfortably ahead 60-48.

The Trojans' offense, led by a perfect 3-for-3 shooting effort from Westgate and three excellent assists from Claycee West in the final frame, continued to hum despite added defensive pressure from the Cougars as TU cruised to the 14-point victory.

Custer finished with a game-high 23 points, Westgate had a 21-point, 12-rebound double-double and Henson closed with 20 points on the dot in TU's high-octane offensive effort.

Westgate's 12 rebounds were a game-high, as were West's five assists. In all, five Trojans finished with three or more assists on the night, with Jillian Osswald and Westgate both contributing four, and Quinn Kelly and Kendall Wayne both chipping in three dimes.

As has become commonplace for Taylor, the home team finished with a large advantage at the free-throw line, converting on 18-of-21 attempts while limiting the Cougars to six shots at the charity stripe. Defensively, TU came away with six blocked shots, led by Henson and Westgate with two apiece.

The Trojans return to Crossroads League action with a matchup at Grace (5-7, 0-3 CL) on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2024. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.