Trojan News

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The No. 12 Trevecca Trojans (17-6, 9-2 TranSouth) fell behind early and trailed most of the night, before a late rally fell just short in an 81-79 loss to No. 23 Bethel University (14-9, 5-5 TranSouth) Thursday night at Moore Gym. The Wildcat win ends a 13-game win streak for the Trojans in the series. Trevecca leads the series 13-3.

The Trojans were playing without All-American guard Abby Lawson, who was sitting out the game after being ejected from Monday's game against Martin Methodist.

Bethel scored the first eight points of the game and led 15-6 with 12:22 left in the first half, before the Trojans went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to one. From there, the Wildcats pushed the lead back to 11 at the half, 36-25. The Bethel lead would grow as large as 15 on multiple occasions, before the Trojans started their comeback. Down 61-46 with 10:35 to play, Trevecca proceeded to go on a 14-1 run to cut the lead to 62-60 with 6:19 left. An 8-3 burst by the Wildcats pushed the lead back to seven at 70-63, and that's when the Trojans began one final push to get back in the game. A 3-pointer by Christian Gibson capped a 12-5 run by Trevecca and tied the game at 75. The game was tied again at 77, when Bethel's Kashundria Berry converted a 3-point play to make it 80-77. After Paige McFarlin's layup and a made free throw by Berry, Christian Gibson's last-second shot fell short and the buzzer sounded.

Gibson led the Trojans with a career-high 27 points, K.C. Van Atta added 18 points and eight rebounds, and London Elie added 12. Nina Djokovic led the Wildcats with 27.  Trevecca shot 45% (25-56) from the field, including 5-10 (50%) from 3-point range, and made 24 of 31 free throws (77%). Bethel made 28 of 61 shots (46%), 8-19 3-pointers (42%), and 17 of 24 free throws (71%). The teams combined for 47 fouls, 55 free throw attempts, and 49 turnovers.  
 
Trevecca will visit Cumberland University (8-12, 2-8 TranSouth) on Saturday at 2 p.m.