TU Defense Comes Through to Snap Skid, Pick Up 900th All-Time Win

UPLAND, Ind. – The Taylor women's basketball team (5-7, 0-4 CL) opened the Trojan Classic Tuesday afternoon and came away with a 66-56 win over IU Kokomo (4-7, 1-0 RSC) to snap a six-game losing skid and pick up the program's 900th all-time victory.

Taylor's fifth win of the season was highlighted by a stellar defensive effort that included no three-pointers allowed, and it improved the program's record to 900-680 (.570).

The Trojans started slowly on the offensive end as the Cougars got out to a 14-7 lead nearly eight minutes in. A Kendall Wayne and-one layup and a put-back from Whitney Warfel on consecutive possessions cut into the deficit at 14-12, where the score would stay through one quarter of play.

Taylor's defensive effort continued throughout the entire second period in which it limited IUK to just eight points while forcing another five turnovers – making for 11 total Cougar turnovers in the first half, three of which were credited as steals for Emma Fohl.

Meanwhile, TU's offense picked up with a 24-point quarter highlighted by nine points from Ava Henson and eight from McKayah Musselman off the bench. The offensive production helped the hosts open up a 36-22 halftime advantage.

Neither team could hit their stride in the third frame, as the sides went a combined 10-for-34 from the field.

The defensive struggle helped maintain Taylor's 14-point edge heading into the fourth, when the Cougars immediately threatened a comeback with an 8-0 burst that tightened the game to 48-42.

IUK trimmed the lead down to five on multiple occasions, but Kacey Ott and a host of Trojans were able to get good looks as part of a 10-2 run over the final three minutes that sealed the win.

Henson led TU with 15 points on 6-of-10 accuracy and a team-high two made triples. Warfel, Ott and Musselman joined the senior in double figures.

Fohl finished her night recording team highs of four assists and three steals while also chipping in seven points on just four shot attempts.

Taylor returns to the hardwood Wednesday for the Trojan Classic finale with a matchup versus Ohio Christian (5-7) beginning at 6 p.m.