TU Outpaced by No. 18 USF to Start League Play

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Taylor women's basketball team could not keep up with No. 18 Saint Francis (8-0, 1-0 CL) in an 88-57 road loss Wednesday evening in the Crossroads League opener.

Both teams started fast in the contest, and it was the Trojans leading 16-13 just a few minutes into the game thanks in part to four early triples, two of which were cashed in by Kendall Wayne and assisted by Maycee Woods.

The Cougars kept getting the looks they wanted inside and out, though, as they raced ahead, 29-17, after one quarter.

The second quarter turned into a defensive struggle with a combined 21 total points scored in the frame. Whitney Warfel had five points, six rebounds and two steals in the quarter, but USF still led, 40-27.

18th-ranked Saint Francis extended its advantage with a dominant third period, as Taylor could not find its rhythm outside of Quinn Kelly, who scored five points on 2-for-2 shooting and made TU's only three-pointer in the frame.

Freshman McKayah Musselman made her presence known with 10 points in the fourth quarter, but it was too little, too late for the Trojans.

Musselman notched a career-high 12 points on 6-of-8 accuracy from the floor, while Ava Henson joined her in double figures with 10 points, six rebounds and two assists.

Emma Fohl had a game-high six assists, and Kacey Ott and Warfel matched a game-high total defensively with two blocks apiece.

Taylor (4-3, 0-1 CL) turns its attention to a home matchup Saturday at 1 p.m. when Mount Vernon Nazarene (4-3, 0-1) comes to Odle Arena.