Osswald, Trojans Complete Thrilling Comeback Versus Lancers

Broadcast Highlights

UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor women's basketball team (10-13, 5-8 CL) overcame a 12-point second-half deficit in a thrilling 57-52 victory over Grace (11-12, 6-7) Wednesday evening inside Odle Arena. Junior guard Jillian Osswald connected on a trio of three-pointers in a fourth quarter during which TU outscored the Lancers 23-10 to help snap its three-game losing streak.

For the sixth consecutive game, the Trojans won the opening period as Taylor Westgate had six early points in leading TU to a 13-12 advantage. GC used the next 10 minutes of gametime to grab a 29-23 halftime lead by capitalizing on 12 Taylor miscues in the half and converting those turnovers into 11 points. Though the Trojans struggled to score throughout the half, eight of the home team's nine made field goals were assisted on, led by Claycee West's three dimes.

The Lancer lead was pushed to 12 points – the largest of the game – with three minutes left in the third quarter before Westgate and Osswald nudged momentum back to TU with layups on consecutive possessions. Taylor held GC scoreless in the waning minutes of the period to get to the fourth with a manageable 42-34 deficit.

Head coach Cassie Wiseman believes the fantastic defense that Osswald and the Trojans played throughout the game translated to confidence on the offensive end of the court that spurred them to a come-from-behind victory in the final period.

"I challenged (Osswald) on a fantastic player in (GC's) Maddie Ryman, and I think Jill held her to three (points) when we went Jill on her – and the defense that we were playing – that got her going and she scored on offense with confidence. When she plays like that, she's pretty unstoppable. It was awesome," said Wiseman of Osswald's performance.

An Osswald three-pointer and a block by Westgate to begin the fourth quarter furthered TU's eventual 13-0 run that put Taylor ahead 43-42 and brought the Odle crowd to life.

Grace briefly retook the lead, but 17 seconds later Osswald splashed home another three – her fourth of the game – to hand the Trojans a 46-44 advantage with six minutes remaining. GC's defense picked up in the middle of the quarter as it reclaimed a three-point edge with four minutes remaining. Jumpers by Maycee Woods and Westgate with a couple minutes to go gave Taylor a slight lead it would not relinquish, and Osswald hit the biggest shot of the night – a deep left-wing triple near the shot clock's expiration – with 33 seconds left to put TU ahead by five and seal the win.

"(The comeback victory) is huge. I'm super proud of (the team) and the way they've fought through the whole season to get better day-by-day. We've talked about two things in February in conference play: making changes during the game and we did that 100 percent, and coming together as a team. … That's exactly what we did tonight," said Wiseman.

Westgate led the Trojans with 19 points, eight rebounds and three blocked shots. The senior also notched her 200th career assist early in the fourth quarter. Osswald had 17 points on six-of-nine shooting overall, including a career-high five-of-six from deep. Ava Henson had a steady performance with 14 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals.

TU faces a tough test as it tries to build a winning streak on the road on Saturday at Spring Arbor (18-5, 9-4 CL). Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.