SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Despite a terrific come-from-behind effort, turnovers proved to be costly as the Southwestern University women's basketball team saw their five game winning streak end at the hands of No. 20 Trinity, 88-80, on Saturday evening at Calgaard Gymnasium.
Southwestern put together one of their best offensive outings, scoring a season-high 80 and shooting 32 of 70 (46%) from the field to go with 7 of 13 (54%), but only 9 of 18 (50%) from the charity stripe. Trinity shot 26 of 69 (42%) from the field including 12 3-pointers and 18 of 28 (64%) from the free throw line.
The Pirates controlled the boards, outrebounding Trinity 49-38, but had 21 turnovers on the night to only 12 by the Tigers. Trinity turned that into 28 points off giveaways. Southwestern got 42 points in the paint to only 14 from the Tigers, but Trinity got 36 bench points to Southwestern's 23.
Early in the contest, Southwestern was delivered a tough blow as junior Tori Carraway left the game with an injury and did not return. Trinity jumped out to a 6-1 lead before a quick 7-0 run put Southwestern ahead 8-6. Trinity used the 3-ball to pull back ahead and maintain their lead, leading 20-13 before a Zhazze Brown jumper at the buzzer made it 20-15 after one.
The Tigers made it look easy in the second period and looked as though they were going to take control of the game, scoring 26 points in the quarter and extending their lead to 46-32 at the break.
Then came the third quarter where Southwestern put together one of their most complete performances in the 2017-18 season, shooting 11 of 16 (69%) from the field and holding Trinity before 40%. It was a 20-6 run by the Pirates to get within two. The Pirates eventually tied the game on a Kelsey Faykus jumper and then took a 59-57 lead with 1:56 to go on Faykus free throws.
Trinity responded and took the lead back, holding a 62-61 lead going into the final quarter.
In the fourth, Trinity pushed their lead to 68-63 in the early goings, but Southwestern scored the next six points as a Zhazze Brown lay-up gave the Pirates a 69-68 lead with 6:59 to play. However, Trinity got back-to-back 3-pointers on consecutive possessions as well as a made jumper to go back ahead 76-71.
Despite a push from the Pirates, the Tigers just hit too many shots in the waining minutes as they held onto their lead and used the free throw line for the 88-80 victory.
With Carraway, one of the Pirates leading scorers out, Southwestern got numerous player to step up beginning with Faykus and senior Madison Edwards each scoring a season-high 17 points. Edwards connected on three 3-pointers and pulled down seven rebounds to go with five assists while Faykus had six boards.
Sophomore Cecily Woolfolk scored 16 off the bench to go with nine boards while Brown had 12 points, and five rebounds. Senior Brooke Swift was terrific with 10 points, seven assists, and two steals. Sophomore Naomi Brown scored four off the bench with eight rebounds and two steals.
Trinity's potential All-American candidate Micah Weaver led the way with 27 points to go with eight rebounds, eight assists, and three steals while Emily Daniel added 21 off the bench. Abby Holland scored 17 to go with 11 rebounds.
Southwestern falls to 10-12 overall and 6-5 in the SCAC, but still control third place in the conference.
The Pirates prepare to finish the season at home as their final three games will all be at the Robertson Center. It begins on Friday as Southwestern welcomes the top team in the SCAC in Austin College beginning at 7:30 PM.
