Ott Scores Career-High 19 in Season-Opening Victory

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UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor women's basketball team (1-0) tipped off the 2024-2025 season at home Friday night and came away with an 80-72 victory over Holy Cross (0-1).

Balanced scoring and a dominant second quarter paved the way for TU's win despite turning the ball over 20 times on the night.

The Trojans trailed by seven, 11-4, in the early going as the Saints applied full-court defensive pressure while converting on the offensive end.

Ava Henson and Kacey Ott did the heavy lifting offensively for Taylor in the opening period, though, to chip away at the deficit and take the lead near the buzzer on a running layup from Henson.

Holy Cross briefly retook the lead to start the second frame, but sophomore transfer Whitney Warfel provided a spark off the bench with 10 second-quarter points, which included her second made three-pointer of the game. Warfel's production, combined with active defense and efficient team offense, put Taylor up at the half, 43-30.

The Trojan lead hovered around 15 points through the third quarter as Emma Fohl and Kendall Wayne got going. TU increased its advantage to 61-44 heading into the final period.

The Saints ramped up their full-court press once again in the fourth frame, and the pressure worked as they also started hitting shots to cut their deficit to eight, 67-59, with just five minutes to play. A trio of layups converted by Henson, Maycee Woods and Warfel stemmed the tide, and Taylor made most of its free throws down the stretch to come away with the win.

Ott finished with a career-high 19 points while contributing nine rebounds and a blocked shot in her second career start.

Warfel made quite the first impression in a TU uniform with 17 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals in just 19 minutes off the bench.

Henson tallied 14 points to move her career mark to 996, and she had a career-best 10 boards. Fohl, playing in her first collegiate game, notched 11 points and three assists, and Wayne had nine points.

The Trojans outrebounded the Saints by a 49-34 margin, including a 9-6 tally on the offensive glass.

Taylor stays at home Tuesday for 5:30 p.m. game versus IU Columbus (0-0).