Third Quarter Surge Leads Trojans to 75-66 Win on the Road
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Energized by a third quarter surge, the Taylor University women’s basketball team defeated Cornerstone (0-2) by a score of 75-66, re-entering the win column after two tough losses.
The Trojan offense was fairly well distributed throughout the night, four players scoring double-digits while none eclipsed the 20-point mark. Taylor Westgate grabbed her second double-double of the short season, snagging 14 points in addition to 12 boards. With four games now in the books, the Marion, Indiana, native holds a season-average of 13.3 points and 11.5 rebounds per game.
The opening 10 minutes of the game were evenly matched, with the Trojans inching ahead 17-16 thanks to an Ava Henson jumper at the buzzer. In the quarter, Taylor shot 44.4 percent from the floor on 18 shots taken, while knocking down just one of five shots from three.
In the second quarter, the Golden Eagles outscored the Trojans 19-14, carrying a four-point lead into the half. Claycee West led the Taylor offense with six points in the quarter, yet five Taylor turnovers and four offensive boards for Cornerstone proved enough to give the home team the advantage at half.
A new script unfolded in the third frame, however, as the Trojans outscored Cornerstone 25-11 while shooting a remarkable 76.9 percent from the floor. Lauren James led the way, scoring eight points while perfect on four shots.
The Trojans coughed up eight turnovers in the third quarter alone, which were impressively overcome as Taylor hit on 10 of its 13 shots while holding the Golden Eagles to a mere 21.1-percent mark from the field.
Taylor dominated play around the hoop, throughout the game but especially in the third quarter, as the Trojans outscored Cornerstone 20-6 in the paint, outrebounding the opponent 14-5.
Up 10 heading into the final frame, Taylor maintained its lead, culminating in a nine-point victory. Kayla Kirtley provided steady offense down the stretch, scoring seven, three of which came from the free-throw line.
Taylor had another six turnovers in the fourth quarter, yet a shooting percentage of 54.5 percent and composure at the free-throw line carried the Trojans to their season’s second win.
TU finished the game shooting 54.5 percent overall from the floor and 81.3 percent from the charity stripe, a significant increase from the team’s previous season-average of 56.5 percent. Three-point land continued to be rocky soil, however, as the Trojans shot just 18.2 percent from deep, granting them a season-average of 30.9 percent.
In addition to Westgate’s 14-point 12-rebound night, Kirtley contributed 14 and eight while West added 16 and five. Lauren James scored 12 points, maintaining a mark of 55.6 percent from the floor.
Taylor is now 5-0 all-time against Cornerstone.
The Trojans will be back in action on Friday, November 5th, as they participate in the 22nd annual Cattle Classic at Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska. Taylor will take on No. 13 Dakota State (3-2) on Friday at 2:00 pm, and, then, No. 18 Sterling (0-0) on Saturday at 11:00 am.
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