Chris Yingling | Echo
The Taylor women's basketball team could not overcome No. 10 Indiana Wesleyan's strong defensive effort on Tuesday as the Wildcats came out with a 59-37 victory over the Trojans in the first round of the Crossroads League Tournament.
"Indiana Wesleyan's defense dictated the shots that we took," said head coach Kelly Packard. "They forced us to take shots outside our offensive flow and this was reflected in our low field goal percentage. We also gave up several uncontested looks at the rim from the three-point arc that proved costly."
The stifling on-ball coverage of the Wildcats forced a season-low 24.5 percent shooting performance from Taylor while allowing just two field goals from behind the arc. The 37 points scored by Taylor was also a season low.
Taylor opened the game by making just one of 10 attempts from the floor. Players squandered opportunities at the foul line, missing four free throws in a row to begin the game. The charity stripe woes would continue as the Trojans finished just under 67 percent at the line.
IWU took strong performances from Teniel Krebs and Taylor Goshert and outperformed Taylor in the paint and beyond the arc. Krebs' pair of three-point baskets in the first half quickly put Taylor at a double-digit deficit going into the half at 27-15.
The Wildcats opened the second period with a 6-1 stretch, effectively putting the game out of reach for the Trojans. Leading 33-16, Taylor would not sniff a single-digit deficit the rest of the game.
The offensive miscues for the Trojans were too much to overcome. Shooting only two for 12 behind the arc, no Taylor player was able to ignite a comeback spark on Tuesday. The IWU defense proved why they're top in the nation as Taylor committed 19 turnovers on the night.
Goshert starred for Indiana Wesleyan, putting up 20 points while shooting 50 percent from the field. The paint was controlled by Katrina Blackmon and Erika Isham, recording 13 rebounds and five blocks respectively.
For the Trojans, seniors Shayna Wood and Becca Daniels led the team with seven points each. Senior Kelsey Bryant and sophomore Monica Compton also contributed with six points apiece.
"The seniors were of great impact this season," Packard said. "They led the mindset of embracing a new coaching staff and they have displayed such passion and loyalty to this program. They take great pride in representing Taylor University."
The loss was the final collegiate game for seniors Wood, Daniels, Bryant, Ashley Fouch, Kelci Freds and Linden Daiss. The Trojans end their 2013-14 season with an overall record of 12-19 and a sixth place regular season finish in the Crossroads League.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
