Trojans Take Down Pilots, Extend Winning Streak

MISHAWAKA, Ind. – The Taylor women's basketball team (9-10, 4-5 CL) concluded the first half of its Crossroads League schedule Saturday at Bethel (4-13, 0-8) and came away with a wire-to-wire, 67-45 victory. With the win, TU tied its season-long winning streak at three games and improved to a .500 record in true road games.

The Trojans came out firing in the first quarter, hitting two treys to begin their scoring and another set of triples near the quarter's end to grab a 26-9 advantage. Between the triples, Taylor Westgate connected on all four of her field goal attempts in the period for eight points to lead TU in scoring early on.

Neither team could gain much traction to begin the second frame, but the backcourt duo of Ava Henson and Jillian Osswald got Taylor back on track late in the half while the Trojan defense remained stingy. Osswald hit a three-pointer at the halftime buzzer to extend TU's lead to 41-17.

Bethel slowly cut into its deficit throughout the third quarter and got to within 20 points with two minutes remaining in the period. Westgate closed the third and began the fourth frame scoring on three-of-four Trojan possessions, however, to put Taylor back ahead by 25 at 53-28 with nine and-a-half minutes remaining in the game.

Henson scored six of her game-high 20 points in the final quarter to help keep TU comfortably ahead until the final horn sounded. The senior's 20-point day, which was accomplished on nine-of-14 shooting, marked the sixth time she has crossed the 20-point threshold this season.

Westgate, fresh off a record-tying 25-rebound double-double on Jan. 17, added another dominant performance Saturday with 15 points, 15 boards and two blocks. Her double-double moved her total to seven on the season and 30 in her career.

Osswald was sharp once again with three made three-pointers en route to putting up 16 points and a game-high six assists. Maycee Woods contributed six points – which came on a pair of treys – off the bench to lead all reserves in scoring.

Nearly every major statistical category tilted heavily in the Trojans' favor against the Pilots besides turnovers, with the Trojans winning both the rebound and assist battles by double digits and outshooting Bethel by 16 percentage points from the field overall, including connecting on eight triples compared to BU's one.

Taylor looks to keep its winning streak alive and even up the season series at Saint Francis (10-8, 3-6 CL) on Saturday, Jan. 27. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m. in Fort Wayne, Ind.