Trojan News

Trevecca and William Woods played the first of 31 games over seven days at the 30th edition of the NAIA's 32-team National Tournament.

Trevecca led 7-6 at the 17:19 mark of the first half and used a 14-4 run to take a double-digit lead (21-10) with 9:59 remaining in the half. The Trojans extended their lead to 13 (28-15) on a Christian Gibson 3-pointer at the 6:37 mark.

The Owls went on a 16-6 run, fueled by three 3-point baskets, over the final six minutes to cut Treveccas's lead to three at halftime, 34-31.

William Woods kept their foot on the gas as the second half started with a 13-6 run that put the Owls up 44-40 with 15:31 to go. Combined with the 16-6 run to end the first half, the Owls had a 29-12 run to take the lead.

The Trojans dug in and when Rachel Raby grabbed one of the TNU's 26 offensive rebounds and put it back in with 11:16 to go, she capped a 14-0 TNU run that gave the NO. 19 Trojans a firm grasp on the game, 54-44. Trevecca won 71-64.  
 
Though the Owls never cut the Trojan lead under five points the rest of the way.

"We dominated the boards and that was one of two key area's we wanted to improve on here," said Head Coach Gary Van Atta. "I'm so proud of our team for buying into the game plan and the challenge of improving the effort. We grabbed 26 offensive rebounds, 26! We scored 31 second chance points with those 26 offensive rebounds."

Van Atta continued, "Our freshmen post players scored 30 pts and grabbed 26 rebounds. London (Elie) and Rachel (Raby) were incredible! What a great pair of post players they are developing into for us. I don't want to get ahead, but we have them for three more years."

"Our veterans, KC Van Atta and Abby Lawson struggled from the field, but they stepped up at the foul line and helped hold the line with 10-10 shooting from the foul line."

"All our players were big today and contributed. I could go on and on about everyone of our players. I fear leaving anyone out because they all deserved praise and I am so proud of their effort today. Winners find a way, we found a way today."

London Elie, Trevecca's leading scorer, was ready to play, "I just have never been apart of something like this. It is awesome, the whole tournament experience has been great. I was just so pumped to play and our whole team played that way."

In what was an otherwise evenly matched game; it was Trevecca Nazarene's domination of the glass that proved to be the difference. The Trojans out-rebounded William Woods 26 to 14 on the offensive end and 58 to 40 overall. Trevecca capitalized on 31 second-chance points and 41 points in the paint.

Trevecca freshman London Elie came off the bench to lead all scorers in the game with 21 points and 13 rebounds. Elie's 21 points was 11 above her season average of 9.4 this season. Rachel Raby just missed a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds while adding two blocks.

K.C. Van Atta (14 points), Abby Lawson (11 pts) and Christian Gibson (10 pts) all joined Elie in double-figures.  Lawson had two steals and is just one shy of tying Mariska Reed for the most career steals in program history. Gibson added a team-high four steals, five rebounds, and a block. William Woods was led by Jestine Gerber with 21 points and Estrella with 17 points.

Trevecca Nazarene improves to 22-10 on the season, while William Woods drops to 29-3. The Trojans will take on the Campbellsville (Ky.) (32-2), who defeated Louisiana State-Shreveport (23-7) 64-55, at 9 a.m. CDT on Friday, March 19. Campbellsville was led by WBCA NAIA Player of the Year Whitney Ballinger. The 6-foot-3 junior produced a triple-double with 25 points, 15 rebounds, and 11 blocks.