Caitlin Vukorpa | Echo
The Taylor women's basketball team claimed its first win of the 2013-14 season on Saturday against the Patriots of Saint Catherine, 71-60.
The Trojans struggled in the first half with a 28.2 (11-39) shooting percentage from the floor as the Patriots took a 12-point lead with four minutes left to play. However, the Trojans improved in the second half, shooting 38.7 (12-31) percent and ultimately outscoring Saint Catherine 42-27.
"We had to work for this," said head coach Kelly Packard. "Going into halftime, we had to develop and maintain a mentality that we could still win. And in the long run, this became more than just our first victory."
Senior forward Becca Daniels led the Trojans with 18 points and six rebounds in less than 15 minutes of play. The Trojans started the second half with a 33-29 deficit but quickly took charge with a 14-4 run. With just over seven minutes to play, the Trojans took the lead 58-47 and maintained a lead of at least seven or more throughout the rest of the game.
Other leading scorers for the Trojans included the senior combination of Kelsey Bryant and Kelci Freds who had 14 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Monica Compton added 11 points. Senior Ashley Fouch had five assists and nine rebounds, leading the team in both categories.
Overall, Taylor outrebounded Saint Catherine with 49 boards compared to the Patriots' 42. The Patriots also had 15 turnovers while the Trojans turned the ball over 13 times, their lowest of the season.
"We want to get incrementally better each day at practice and compete day in and day out in this extremely talented women's basketball league," Packard said.
The Trojans opened the season with four road games but now have an opportunity to win at home as they host No. 6 Roosevelt Saturday at 1 p.m.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
